Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events: The Importance of Serum Levels and Haplotypes of the Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin 10.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent major medical and socio-economic challenges worldwide. There is substantial evidence that CVD is closely linked to inflammatory changes triggered by a complex cytokine network. In this context, interleukin 10 (IL-10) plays an important role as a pleiotropic cytokine with an anti-inflammatory capacity.