Plasma interleukin-18 levels are increased in the polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship of carotid intima-media wall thickness and cardiovascular risk factors

ObjectiveTo determine serum interleukin (IL)-18 levels and to find out whether IL-18 is associated with carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and various cardiovascular risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).DesignA prospective, controlled study.SettingUniversity hospital.Patient(s)Sixty women with PCOS and 60 healthy women were included this study.Intervention(s)Serum levels IL-18, homocysteine (Hcy), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), lipid and hormone profiles were measured. Carotid IMT was evaluated for both common carotid arteries.Main Outcome Measure(s)Serum IL-18, carotid IMT, Hcy, CRP, IL-6, MDA, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.Result(s)The evaluation, which was made without the obesity influence taken into consideration, revealed that patients with PCOS have increased serum IL-18 levels than that of the control group (214 ± 102 vs. 170 ± 78 pg/mL). The interaction between PCOS and obesity was seen to have statistical significance (F = 67.8). Body mass index (BMI), waist to-hip ratio, Hcy, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance are independent determinants of plasma IL-18 in patients with PCOS. Elevated serum IL-18 levels were positively and significantly correlated with a greater carotid IMT. For Hcy and carotid IMT, the interaction between PCOS and obesity was found in a two-way ANOVA variation analysis (F = 48.5 and F = 81.5, respectively).Conclusion(s)Elevated serum IL-18 levels were associated with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid IMT in patients with PCOS.