Association of carotid atheroma plaque with IL-18 levels and with polymorphisms in the IL-18 receptor gene in a Mediterranean population.

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory molecule that has been linked to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To evaluate the possible relationship between plasma levels of IL-18 and the presence of atherosclerosis evaluated at the carotid level, as well as to analyze the possible modulation by different polymorphisms in a Mediterranean population.