BACKGROUND: We specifically designed this study to determine the relationship between levels of IL-8 and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 149 diabetic patients at different stages of diabetic nephropathy and 72 matched controls were recruited in this study. A wide range of parameters were measured: IL-18 (by ELISA), urinary albumin excretion rates (UAER), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT, by pulse wave velocity [PWV]). All the diabetic patients were treated by alprostadil.

RESULTS: ELISA indicated that the level of IL-18 in the patient group was significantly higher compared with that in the control group. The level of IL-18 apparently increased in the higher cIMT group in T2DM patients. Serum IL-18 levels were positively correlated with cIMT in patients with T2DM, the level of IL-18 was negatively correlated with cIMT, and IL-18 levels were positively correlated to age. Moreover, IMT was positively correlated with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) and IL-18 levels were significantly associated with cIMT (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: IL-18 levels were positively correlated with atherosclerotic burden in patients with T2DM and it may be considered as a significant therapeutic target.

Keywords: Alprostadil, atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness, Receptors, Interleukin-18