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.

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