Serum interleukin 18 level in kidney diseases and age

Abstract

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18), also known as interferon-gamma inducing factor is a protein which in humans is encoded by the IL18 gene, it is a member of the IL 1 family and has a molecular weight of 18 kDa. Innate and adaptive immunity can be regulated by IL-18, and disorders involving its dysregulation might result in inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. Aim of the Work: To distinguish between acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic renal failure (CRF), this research investigates the utility of IL-18 as a novel biomarker and examines how age affects its level. Materials and Methods: Three hundred participants were included and divided into three groups using the following methodology. Group I consisted of 100 control subjects who were split up by age and gender. Group II consisted of 100 AKI patients who were divided into two groups and subgroups based on age and gender. Group III, which consisted of 100 CRF (hemodialyzed patients), was divided into two groups and subgroups, as patients with acute renal injury and previously healthy people. Patients’ blood was drawn to conduct a laboratory investigation blood urea, serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, pH, GFR and PCO2. Results: Patients with CRF had higher serum levels of IL-18 than patients with AKI, regardless of gender, and both groups of patients had levels of IL-18 that rise with age. Conclusion: IL-18 is a reliable indicator for the differentiation between AKI and CRF patients receiving hemodialysis and its level correlates with age independent with gender.

Keywords

• acute kidney injury
• aging
• chronic renal failure
• interleukin 18
• hemodialysis