Interleukin 37 Levels in Relation to Serum Vitamin D Levels Among Ain Shams University Medical Students

Abstract

Abstract Background The extraskeletal role of vitamin D is being increasingly recognized. This has important clinical implications, as vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Vitamin D has proposed anti-inflammatory properties as recent data suggests that low vitamin D concentrations are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers. Interleukin-37(IL-37) is an IL1 family cytokine discovered in recent years and has 5 different isoforms. As an immunosuppressive factor, IL-37 can suppress excessive immune response .IL37 plays a role in protecting the body against endotoxin shock, ischemia reperfusion injury, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, IL-37 has a potential antitumor effect. IL-37 and its receptors may serve as novel targets for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of immune-related diseases and tumors. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to determine the relation between the level of interleukin-37 and 25-hydroxy Vitamin D among Ain Shams University medical students. Subjects and Methods The study was conducted at Clinical Pathology Department, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Ninety individuals, from medical students of Ain Shams University who participated in the Nutritional Assessment of Ain Shams University Medical Students (NAMESASU) Project, were selected to be in the study. The study included 2 groups: Group I: included 45 subjects selected from the NAMES-ASU project with deficient vitamin D serum levels. Group II: included 45 subjects selected from the NAMES-ASU project with sufficient vitamin D serum levels. Results There was a highly significant difference between the two groups regarding vitamin D levels. Serum IL-37 levels were significantly higher in group I subjects compared to group II subjects. No significant difference was observed between group I and group II regarding BMI, BFM, PBF and hsCRP. No significant difference was observed between the two subgroups regarding IL-37 levels and hsCRP levels. A highly significant negative correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and IL-37. A significant negative correlation was observed between hsCRP and vitamin D levels. However, no correlation was observed between hsCRP and IL-37 levels. Conclusion Data from our study showed that present study denote that in case of vitamin D deficiency, irrespective of BMI, a subclinical state of inflammation may be present as reflected by the increased hsCRP levels and this state of inflammation might induce an increase in IL-37, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in an attempt to reduce the inflammation.