| Purpose: The slow coronary flow (SCF) was identified as delayed opacification of epicardial coronary arteries in
the absence of stenotic lesion. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), oxidative stress, and inflammation may be possible
known insulting factors for the pathogenesis of SCF. This investigation aimed to assess the relationship between
some inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters and MetS components with SCF phenomenon.
Methods: A total of 35 patients with SCF and 35 subjects with normal coronary flow (NCF) were included in the
study. We assessed some inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, and NF-κB mRNA expression in peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)). Moreover, blood samples of the participants were tested for total antioxidant
capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and nitric oxide (NO) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Diagnosis of MetS was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment
Panel III report (ATPIII) criteria, 2005. Diagnostic criteria for coronary flow rates of all subjects were documented
by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method.
Results: SCF patients had significantly higher prevalence of MetS (46%, p = 0.048).We found that the level of
TAC was significantly higher in the NCF group (p = 0.006). Furthermore, the NO concentration was significantly
lower in SCF groups (p = 0.001). A significant incremental difference was detected in IL-1β (fold change 2.82 ±
0.31, p < 0.05) and NF-κB (fold change 4.62 ± 0.32, p < 0.05) mRNA expression in the SCF group when
compared with its level in the NCF group. Furthermore, according to logistic regression analysis, there were
significant associations between IL-1β, NF-κB expression levels and the incidence of SCF (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the pathogenesis of the SCF phenomenon may be closely associated
with metabolic syndrome and inflammation. The NF-κB/IL-1β/nitric oxide & MetS signaling pathway
might be considered as potential therapeutic targets in the management of SCF patients but further researches is
required to guarantee these findings. |