Elevated Interleukin-38 Level Associates with Clinical Response to Atorvastatin in Patients with Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for various cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. And it is tightly related to chronic inflammation. Interleukin-38 (IL-38) represents a new member of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus we studied the important role of IL-38 in hyperlipidemia development and treatment.

The mRNA level of IL-38 in PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and serum IL-38 levels in hyperlipidemia patients and healthy controls were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The hyperlipidemia patients were further divided into two groups (Sensitive and Resistant Group) according to their clinical response to Atorvastatin therapy. Finally, the effects of IL-38 on hyperlipidemia was evaluated in the mice model.

Data showed that the IL-38 mRNA and serum protein levels were higher in patients with hyperlipidemia compared with healthy controls. And the IL-38 mRNA and serum protein levels were higher in patients sensitive to Atorvastatin therapy than the resistant group. In vitro, IL-38 inhibited the production of IL-6, IL-1β and CRP in PBMCs of patients with hyperlipidemia. In the mice model of hyperlipidemia, IL-38 was also elevated during the hyperlipidemia development. Furthermore, the IL-38 over-expressed by adeno-associated virus significantly inhibited the hyperlipidemia development, inflammatory factor secretion and also the atherosclerosis process.

Thus our data showed that IL-38 might present protective effects on hyperlipidemia treatment.