Relationship of plasma interleukin-18 concentrations to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中国综合临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between interleukin-18 (IL-18) and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),and between SLE and early atherosclerosis.Method A total of 59 female patients with SLE were divided into three groups according to the level of IL-18＜2× 107g/L (A group,19 cases),2.0-3.2 × 107 g/L (B group,22 cases),≥ 3.2 × 107 g/L (C group,18 cases).The cardiovascular risk factors including body mass index (BMI),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),fasting insulin and glucose,plasma glucose,plasma lipid,brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) were determined in all patients.Result Plasma levels of insulin,triglyceride,homocysteine and values of homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA IR) in SLE patients with IL-18 ≥3.2×107 g/L were significant higher than patients with IL-1＜2× 107 g/L or 2-3.2 × 107 g/L (F =15.61,4.06,11.18,8.49;P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05).About 72.88％ patient had hyperhomocysteinaemia which lead to significantly increase the level of IL-18 (P＜0.05).The level of IL-18 of patients in A,B and C groups were (208.75 ± 23.21),(261.20± 17.82) and (339.05 ± 32.54),and it increased significantly as IL-18 increase (P＜0.05).The level of IL-18 was increased as risk factors of SLE including baPWV,level of insulin and IR increased (P =0.019,0.002,0.000).Conclusion The synergistic effects of hyperinsulinaemia,insulin resistance,hyperhomocysteinaemia and vascular stiffness most likely contribute to the elevation of plasma IL-18 concentrations in patients with SLE.