title: Fetuin-A and interleukin-18 levels in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and fetuin-A have been implicated in atherosclerosis. Preliminary evidence suggests that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible abnormalities in IL-18 and fetuin-A levels in AS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects without established cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were studied. Fasting glucose, serum lipids, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IL-18 and fetuin-A were assessed. Patients were also evaluated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourty-five patients with AS (37.4 +/- 9.7 years; 35M/10F) and 29 controls (35.5 +/- 11.1 years; 21M/8F) were studied. Fetuin-A levels were significantly higher in AS patients compared to controls (1023.5 +/- 171.6 vs. 856.9 +/- 207.9 microg/mL, P < 0.001). IL-18 levels were also higher in the AS group but the difference was not significant (184 +/- 186 vs. 140 +/- 115, P = 0.1). Significant but weak correlations were found between fetuin-A, IL-18, hsCRP, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels (P < 0.05; r = 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, and 0.3 respectively). Comparison of subjects with respect to the treatment type, disease activity and history of peripheral arthritis yielded no difference regarding fetuin-A and IL-18 between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetuin-A and IL-18 levels seem to be increased in AS patients regardless of disease activity and treatment type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. ismailsari35@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kebapcilar
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylan
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bilgir
authors.forename: Didem L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kozaci
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Necati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gunay
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkoc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014421:Turkey; D015854:Up-Regulation; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein
chemical_list: C556354:AHSG protein, human; D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D020382:Interleukin-18; D014280:Triglycerides; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein