A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine The Association of Interleukin-18 With Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background and objectives The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiplex risk factor that arises from insulin resistance accompanying abnormal adipose deposition and function. Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a recently described member of the IL-1 cytokine superfamily, is now recognized as an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses. The present study was undertaken to study the association of IL-18 with metabolic syndrome and to correlate IL-18 levels with the different components of metabolic syndrome as well as its complications. Methodology The present one year cross sectional study, was conducted in the Department of Medicine, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum on 100 patients of metabolic syndrome based on IDF criteria specific for south Asians during the period of January 2010 to December 2010. Estimation of IL-18 was done using standard recombinant IL-18 enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Interleukin-18 levels above 216 pg/mL were considered as abnormal. Results Males accounted for 64%. The mean age for the study population was 60.30 ± 9.43 years. Diabetes accounted for 71% as past history. 53% subjects were in the pre-obese group with a BMI between 25 to 29.99 kg/m patients (100%) had abnormal WC. The mean fasting blood sugar level were 142 ± 28.8 mg/dL. 71 patients were found to have an elevated Il-18 level (71%) X 2 . All the whereas 29 subjects had a IL-18 ≤ 215. Of the 100 patients studied, 64% had three components, 29% had four and 7% had all five components of the metabolic syndrome. The strongest correlation of IL-18 was observed with HOMA-IR with a correlation coefficient of 0.646 (p≤0.001). Interpretation and conclusion Interleukin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome. The findings of this study indicate a utility of IL-18 as a prognostic marker in patients with metabolic syndrome.