Abstract
Background
Interleukin 37 (IL-37) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine previously studied in Behçet's
disease (BD) and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about its relation to macro
and microcirculations in BD. Previous studies relied mainly on common carotid artery
(CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) and ankle brachial index (ABI) to study atherosclerosis
in BD with conflicting results. This study evaluated flow parameters of CCA, ABI and
nailfold videocapillaroscopy in relation to serum IL-37 in BD.
Methods
Forty BD patients and 30 healthy controls were included. IMT, peak-systolic, end-diastolic
velocities, resistivity index of CCA and ABI were measured by duplex ultrasound. Capillary
loop, length, diameter and morphology were recorded by nailfold videocapillaroscopy.
Serum IL-37 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results
Compared to controls, patients had higher mean CCA IMT (p < 0.0001), resistivity index (p < 0.001) and peak-systolic velocity (p=0.09) and lower mean CCA end-diastolic velocity
(p=0.002), capillary loop, length, arterial, venous limbs diameter and serum IL-37
(p < 0.001). Patients with ABI ≥ 1.4 “indicating stiff arteries” had higher serum IL-37
(p < 0.05 on left, p>0.05 right sides). Serum IL-37 correlated negatively with left
CCA end-diastolic velocity “denoting atherosclerosis” and positively with left posterior
tibial artery ABI and CRP (p < 0.03) “denoting inflammation”. Multiple regression analysis showed only association
with left CCA end-diastolic velocity.
Conclusions
IL-37 may be related to arterial stiffness in BD and could be used as a possible marker
of arteriosclerosis in the disease for further investigations. Changes of CCA peak-systolic,
end-diastolic velocities, resistivity index and IMT refer to increased atherosclerosis
in larger elastic arteries. In smaller muscular “crural” arteries, vasculitis with
possible medial disease may be more evident.
Key Indexing Terms
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 22, 2022
Accepted:
April 14,
2022
Received:
February 5,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
