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Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(8): 507-512
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949122
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

IL-18: Relationship with Anthropometry, Body Composition Parameters, Leptin and Arterial Hypertension

N. Vilarrasa 1 , J. Vendrell 2 , J. Maravall 1 , M. Broch 2 , A. Estepa 1 , A. Megia 2 , J. Soler 1 , I. Simón 2 , C. Richart 2 , J. M. Gómez 1
  • 1Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2Endocrinology and Research Unit, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Rovira I Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Received 18 July 2005

Accepted after revision 17 January 2006

Publication Date:
29 August 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine with potential atherogenic properties whose role in human obesity has been recently suggested. The aim of our study was to analyze the physiologic distribution of IL-18 among sexes and all decades of the adult life in a healthy population randomly selected and to study its relationship with anthropometric, body composition measurements and leptin concentrations. We also studied the relationship of IL-18 with smoking and arterial hypertension, known risk factors implicated in atherogenesis. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty four men and 127 healthy women were included in the study. Plasma concentrations of IL-18 and leptin were determined in all subjects. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedanciometry. Results: IL-18 was distributed similarly in men and women and throughout decades. No significant differences were found in IL-18 between obese and normal-weight men and women according to their body mass index and body fat content. Higher IL-18 concentrations were found in subjects with arterial hypertension. In the bivariate correlation analysis only waist to hip ratio correlated weakly with IL-18 in the whole population (r=0.12, p=0.04). In the multiple regression analysis the relationship between IL-18 and waist to hip ratio lost significance after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. However, IL-18 remained associated with arterial hypertension (adjusted r2=0.25, p=0.023). Conclusions: The lack of correlation between IL-18 with anthropometric, body composition variables and leptin in our healthy population argues against a role of this cytokine in obesity. Moreover, our findings suggest the implication of this interleukin in the atherogenic process induced by arterial hypertension.

Key words

Inflammation - cytokine - interleukin - obesity - body fat

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Correspondence

Nuria VilarrasaGarcía 

C/Rambla Just Oliveras·N° 64, 3° 2a escalera A·08901 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat· Barcelona·Spain

Phone: +34/93/533 85 11

Fax: +34/93/337 52 48

Email: nuriavilarrasa@yahoo.es

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