Relations of serum interleukin 18 levels to serum lipid and glucose concentrations in an apparently healthy adult population

Aim: To investigate the associations between serum interleukin (IL) 18 concentrations and indices of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in healthy adults. Methods: Fasting serum concentrations of IL-18, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols were measured in 570 apparently healthy adults. Results: Univariate linear and partial regression analyses showed that the serum IL-18 concentration was positively correlated with serum triglyceride and glucose concentrations in both obese and diabetic subjects after controlling for the confounding effects of age, sex, and body mass index. Conclusion: IL-18 may be associated with obesity and glucose intolerance. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.