Conclusions
The rich expression of antimicrobial peptides and its association with CRP support the idea that an inflammatory process is involved in the pathogenesis of acquired heart diseases. The worst preoperative condition is associated with increased antimicrobial peptide expression in the right atrial cells.
Methods
During cardiac surgery, right atrial tissue fragments were taken from 23 patients with acquired heart diseases. Tissue fragments were stained for immunohistochemical detection of Il-1α, Il-10, βD2, βD3 and βD4.
Results
Few to a moderate number of Il-1α-positive cells and a moderate to great number of Il-10-, βD2- and βD3-positive cells were detected in right atrial tissue. There was a positive correlation between the level of CRP and the number of βD3-positive cardiomyocytes (r(s) 0.463; p .026). We found a negative correlation between the left ventricular ejection fraction and the number of βD2-positive cells in connective tissue (r(s) -0.524; p 0.012). Conclusions: The rich expression of antimicrobial peptides and its association with CRP support the idea that an inflammatory process is involved in the pathogenesis of acquired heart diseases. The worst preoperative condition is associated with increased antimicrobial peptide expression in the right atrial cells.