Association of interleukin-2, interleukin-21 and interleukin-23 with hyperlipidemia in pediatric type 1 diabetes

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are the game-changers in childhood obesity-associated metabolic disorders (diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases)

Childhood obesity is a chronic inflammatory epidemic that affects children worldwide. Obesity affects approximately 1 in 5 children worldwide. Obesity in children can worsen weight gain and raise the risk of obesity-related comorbidities like diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It can also negatively impact the quality of life for these children. Obesity disrupts immune system function, influencing cytokine (interleukins) balance and expression levels, adipokines, and innate and adaptive immune cells. The altered expression of immune system mediators, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-18 (IL-18), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and others, caused inflammation, progression, and the development of pediatric obesity and linked illnesses such as diabetes and NAFLD. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), have been shown to have anti-diabetes and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) anti-diabetic and pro-NAFLFD properties, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been shown to have a dual role in managing diabetes and anti-NAFLD. In light of the substantial increase in childhood obesity-associated disorders such as diabetes and NAFLD and the absence of an effective pharmaceutical intervention to inhibit immune modulation factors, it is critical to consider the alteration of immune system components as a preventive and therapeutic approach. Thus, the current review focuses on the most recent information regarding the influence of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins) and their molecular mechanisms on pediatric obesity-associated disorders (diabetes and NAFLD). Furthermore, we discussed the current therapeutic clinical trials in childhood obesity-associated diseases, diabetes, and NAFLD.

Altered serum levels of cytokines in patients with myasthenia gravis

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by generalized skeletal muscle contraction weakness due to autoantibodies targeting neural-muscular junctions. Here, we investigated the relationship between key cytokines and MG type, disease course, antibodies, and comorbidities.

Method

Cytokine levels in serum samples collected from MG (n = 45) and healthy control (HC, n = 38) patients from January 2020 to June 2022 were quantified via flow cytometry.

Results

Levels of IL-6 were higher in the MG group versus healthy individuals (p = 0.026) and in patients with generalized versus ocular MG (p = 0.019). IL-6 levels were positively correlated with QMG score. In patients with MG with both AChR and Titin antibodies, serum levels of sFas and granulysin were higher than in those with AChR alone (p = 0.036, and p = 0.028, respectively). LOMG had a reduction in serum levels of IL-2 compared to EOMG (p = 0.036). LOMG patients with diabetes had lower serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ (p = 0.044, p = 0.038, and p = 0.047, respectively) versus those without diabetes. sFas in the MG with Abnormal thymus were reduced compared to those in MG with Normal thymus (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

This study revealed a positive correlation between IL-6 level and MG status. Serum cytokine levels of the AChR + Titin MG group differed from those of the AChR group. LOMG had a lower IL-2 level. Comorbidities affect some cytokines in peripheral blood in MG serum.

Effects of Biologic Therapy on Laboratory Indicators of Cardiometabolic Diseases in Patients with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is associated with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Biologic therapy targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-23, and IL-17 may improve not only psoriasis but also cardiometabolic diseases. We retrospectively evaluated whether biologic therapy improved various indicators of cardiometabolic disease. Between January 2010 and September 2022, 165 patients with psoriasis were treated with biologics targeting TNF-α, IL-17, or IL-23. The patients' body mass index; serum levels of HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and uric acid (UA); and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded at weeks 0, 12, and 52 of the treatment. Baseline psoriasis area and severity index (week 0) positively correlated with TG and UA levels but negatively correlated with HDL-C levels, which increased at week 12 of IFX treatment compared to those at week 0. UA levels decreased at week 12 after ADA treatment compared with week 0. HDL-C levels decreased 52 weeks after IXE treatment. In patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, HDL-C levels increased at week 12, and UA levels decreased at week 52, compared to week 0. Thus, the results at two different time points (at weeks 12 and 52) were inconsistent. However, the results still indicated that TNF-α inhibitors may improve hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia.