Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: The aim of our study was to assess the relationships between systemic markers of general inflammation: interleukin 18 (IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as well as dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) serum levels, in addition to the anthropometrical and biochemical indices of metabolic syndrome (MS) in men over the age of 40.

Patients and methods: In 271 randomly chosen men aged 40 to 80 years living in Lubuskie province (Poland) the features of metabolic syndrome were estimated. Additionally, the hormonal and immunological parameters described above and lipoid parameters were valuated. For the recognition of MS, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria were used. Men with acute infections and hormonal disturbances of hypophysis – gonadal and pituitary–adrenal axis were excluded.

Results: The criteria of metabolic syndrome in our group were found in 80 men (29.52%). Higher levels of IL-18 were observed in younger groups of men (namely 404.66±103.26 pg/ml in their 40 s and 537.48±162.86 pg/ml in their 50 s) and in men suffering from MS (536.34±182.02 pg/ml vs 451.49±143.86 pg/ml; P<0.005). BMI and waist circumference were positively correlated with IL-18 (r=0.252; P<0.001 and r=0.249; P<0.001 respectively) in all groups. Although both adrenal androgens yielded a strong negative correlation with age (r=−0.495; P<0.001 for DHEA and r=−0.551; P<0.001 for DHEA-S), we observed no correlations between them and IL-18. CRP revealed a negative correlation with DHEA (r=−0.248; P<0.05), although not with DHEA-S. IL-18 serum levels were positive correlated with CRP (r=0.339; P<0.0001), especially for men aged over 70 years. CRP serum levels are correlated with an occurrence of MS (P<0.001).

Conclusions: IL-18 and CRP (contrary to DHEA and DHEAS serum levels) identified men over the age of 40 suffering from MS.