Serum IL-18 levels were significantly increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with healthy controls (P=0.031) and in obese women compared with lean women (P=0.018).
Case-Control (n=94)
Are serum IL-18 concentrations increased in women with PCOS compared to healthy controls, and how do they relate to obesity and insulin resistance?
PCOS and obesity are associated with increased serum IL-18 levels, which correlate with adiposity and insulin resistance, suggesting a link to low-grade chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
p-value: p=0.031
Low-grade chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis, and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines are useful cardiovascular risk markers. We have studied serum IL-18 concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), focusing on its relationship with obesity and indexes of insulin resistance. Sixty consecutive women with PCOS and 34 healthy women were recruited. Serum levels of IL-18 and lipid and hormone profiles were measured. The insulin sensitivity index was calculated from glucose and insulin concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test. Data were submitted to a multivariate general linear model introducing age as a covariate. Serum IL-18 levels were increased in PCOS patients compared with controls (P = 0.031) and in obese women compared with lean women (P = 0.018). No interaction between PCOS and obesity was found, suggesting that the influence of PCOS on serum IL-18 concentrations studied here was not different in lean women compared with obese women and that the influence of obesity on serum IL-18 concentrations was the same in the PCOS and control groups. Serum IL-18 levels correlated, after logarithmic transformation, with body mass index (r = 0.38; P < 0.0002), waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.33; P < 0.001), and total testosterone levels (r = 0.24; P < 0.02), and inversely with the insulin sensitivity index (r = -0.23; P < 0.03). In conclusion, PCOS and obesity induce an increase in serum IL-18 levels, which are also associated with several indexes of global and visceral adiposity and with insulin resistance.
Escobar‐Morreale et al. (2004) conducted a case-control in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (n=94). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Obesity vs. Healthy controls and lean women was evaluated on Serum IL-18 concentrations (p=0.031). Serum IL-18 levels were significantly increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with healthy controls (P=0.031) and in obese women compared with lean women (P=0.018).