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The Association between Serum Interleukin-38 Levels and the Severity of Coronary Artery Calcification: A
Mahsa Rostami1, Mansour Moazenzadeh1, Abdollah Jafarzadeh2
1Cardiovascular Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Insights
Higher serum Interleukin-38 (IL-38) levels were observed in severe coronary artery calcification (CAC), but this association was not significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. The role of IL-38 in atherosclerosis remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of mortality, characterized by inflammation.
- Coronary artery calcification (CAC) predicts coronary artery disease (CAD) severity.
- Interleukin-38 (IL-38), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, may influence atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum IL-38 levels and CAC severity.
- To assess IL-38 as a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis progression.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 151 patients aged 50-70.
- CAC severity assessed using Agatston scoring via CT angiography.
- Serum IL-38 levels measured by ELISA.
- Statistical analysis included T-tests and multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Serum IL-38 levels were higher in patients with severe CAC (19.4 pg/mL) compared to non-severe (16.8 pg/mL), P=0.039.
- This association lost significance after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (P>0.05).
- Significant associations were found in subgroups of older participants and those with existing cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusions:
- The observed higher IL-38 levels in severe CAC may be linked to age or risk factors, not a direct role in calcification.
- The direct role of IL-38 in atherosclerosis progression requires further investigation.
- The context-dependent function of IL-38 in atherosclerosis needs clarification.
Background:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated disease that is a leading cause of global mortality and disability. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a key predictor of the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Interleukin-38 (IL-38), a newly identified anti-inflammatory cytokine, may modulate inflammation and prevent atherosclerosis progression.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum IL-38 levels and CAC severity among patients referred to the CT angiography unit at Razieh Firooz Hospital in Kerman City.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 151 patients aged 50-70 years were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 60.1 ± 6.9 years. CAC severity was determined using the Agatston scoring method and multi-detector CT scanners. Serum IL-38 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using an independent T-test and multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
Comparing serum IL-38 levels across CAC severity categories showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.039). Mean serum IL-38 in patients with non-severe and severe calcification were 16.8 ± 5.5 pg/mL and 19.4 ± 4.9 pg/mL, respectively. However, in the multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for major risk factors including sex, age, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, the association between serum IL-38 levels and CAC severity was not significant (P>0.05). In subgroup analyses, the significant association between IL-38 and CAC severity was observed only in older participants and in patients with established cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusion:
Although serum IL-38 levels were higher in patients with severe CAC, this association did not remain significant after adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the observed elevation may reflect age- or risk-related inflammatory changes rather than a direct role of IL-38 in calcification. So, this relationship remains unclear. Further investigation is needed to clarify the potential context-dependent function of IL-38 in atherosclerosis progression.
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