Cardiol Res Pract. 2026 May 24;2026:5979003. doi: 10.1155/crp/5979003. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess whether interleukin-17 or 18 (IL-17 or IL-18), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and T helper17 (Th17) serum concentrations were different in chronic heart failure not associated with myocarditis compared to healthy individuals.
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies with data on IL-17 or IL-18 serum concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure. Forest plots were used to quantify results and depict the standard difference of means, 95% confidence interval (CI), and p value. Continuous outcomes were assessed as weighted mean differences (WMD) with their 95% CI.
RESULTS: IL-17 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in patients with heart failure. The combined effect size under the random effects model (MD = 40.00 pg/mL, 95% CI [6.04, 73.96], p < 0.001) showed a significant overall increase in IL-17 serum levels in heart failure. Th17 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in patients with heart failure, and Tregs are significantly lower compared to persons without heart failure. The random effects model indicates an MD of 1.59 pg/mL (95% CI [0.88, 2.30]), highlighting significant elevation of TH17 levels in heart failure. For Tregs, the random effects model presented an MD of -2.96 pg/mL (95% CI [-4.52, -1.40]), both indicating a significant decrease in Treg levels in HF. Additionally, serum IL-17 concentrations correlated with the severity of the reduction in LV ejection fraction. For IL-18, all (five) studies reported a statistically significant increase in IL-18 levels in HF. The pooled mean difference was 251.59 pg/mL (95% CI: 177.24-325.93 pg/mL) with a random effects model.
CONCLUSION: Serum IL-17, IL-18 Th17, and Treg count have utility for risk stratification for patients with heart failure, as biomarkers for heart failure severity and potential target pathways for treatment.
PMID:42199693 | PMC:PMC13199857 | DOI:10.1155/crp/5979003