Decreased circulating levels of il-22 in newly diagnosed metabolic syndrome patients

Abstract

Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and hypertension that can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. IL-22 is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family that has been shown to prevent or reverse obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance; it also affects mucosal barrier maintenance and the prevention of endotoxemia and chronic inflammation. We determine IL-22 levels in MetS patients and whether IL-22 is associated with MetS and its components. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, we measured serum IL-22 in 194 patients who had been newly diagnosed with MetS; we also employed 73 control patients. We used logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association of low serum levels of IL-22 with metabolic syndrome after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Serum IL-22 concentrations were lower in subjects with MetS than in the controls. Serum IL-22 was negatively correlated with adiposity, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and body mass index; it was positively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association between serum IL-22 and metabolic syndrome. Discussion: These data suggested that decreased IL-22 levels are associated with MetS and its components and that IL-22 may be a novel biomarker in metabolic and endocrine regulations.