AimTo determine serum levels of interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina (SA), so as to investigate the relationship between plaque morphology characteristics and serum levels of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2, and IL-10.MethodsThis study enrolled 37 patients with ACS and 33 patients with SA.The serum INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA.Coronary artery plaques were divided into type I, II and Ⅲ through plaque morphology characteristics according to coronary angiography.Carotid artery plaques were divided into vulnerable plaque and unstable plaque according to ultrasound characteristics.The changes of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-10 levels in the patients with different plaque types were compared.ResultsThe serum INF-γ, IL-2 levels were significantly higher in the ACS group than those in the SA group (p<0.05), but IL-4 and IL-10 levels had no significant difference.Coronary artery plaque was the main type Ⅱ and carotid artery plaque was vulnerable plaque in the ACS patients.Coronary artery plaque was the main type Ⅰ and Ⅲ and carotid artery plaque was unstable plaque in the SA patients.The plasma levels of INF-γ, IL-4, IL-2, IL-10 in different types of plaque were significantly different.The serum INF-γ, IL-2 levels in the patients of type Ⅱ coronary plaque were significantly higher than those in the patients of type Ⅰand Ⅲ coronary plaque.