Association of IL-18 gene variants with depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome in Mexican adults.

Introduction

metabolic syndrome (MS) affects approximately 27 % of the global population and represents a growing public health concern. Identifying factors associated with its presence is essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and clinical management.

Objective

to evaluate the association between depressive symptomatology (DS) and three IL-18 gene variants-rs360719 (-1297 T>C), rs187238 (-137 G>C), and rs1834481 (+488 C>G)-in individuals with MS.

Methods

a descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2023 involving 180 adults (90 with MS and 90 controls), diagnosed according to ALAD criteria. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was used to assess DS. Plasma IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA, and the IL-18 gene variants were genotyped by real-time PCR. The study was approved by the Ethics and Biosafety Committees (CEI-01-2023-02, CBIO-01-2023-02), and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Results

significant differences in anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure parameters were found between groups, confirming a dyslipidemic and inflammatory profile in the MS group. Although no statistically significant association was observed between DS and MS, a higher proportion of moderate to severe DS was noted in the MS group. No significant differences were identified in genotype or allele distributions of the studied variants. However, nonsignificant protective trends were observed for the G allele of rs360719 and rs1834481. Plasma IL-18 levels were significantly higher in participants with MS.

Conclusions

MS was associated with characteristic clinical and inflammatory alterations. Although no significant association was found with DS, the observed trends suggest a potential proinflammatory role of IL-18 and a possible protective effect of specific gene variants.