Fetuin-A and interleukin-18 levels in ankylosing spondylitis.
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.
Sari
Ismail
I
Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. ismailsari35@gmail.com
Kebapcilar
Levent
L
Taylan
Ali
A
Bilgir
Oktay
O
Kozaci
Didem L
DL
Yildiz
Yasar
Y
Yuksel
Arif
A
Gunay
Necati
N
Akkoc
Nurullah
N
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
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