Interleukin-15 are associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

Objective: To determine if higher levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-15 are positively associated with improvement in insulin resistance in postmenopausal women (PW) with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: According to the median value of IL-15 at baseline, PW older than or equal to 45 years were divided into two groups: higher (n = 43) and lower (n = 42) IL-15. There was a 9-month follow-up period with clinical assessments at baseline and at 9 months (criteria of metabolic syndrome, body fat, and insulin resistance). Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated according to the Homeostasis Model Assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). For IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-33, IL-15, and TNF-alpha was determined using immunoassay Magnetic Bead Panel. Results: There was an interaction between the time and group only for insulin (p = .008) and HOMA-IR (p = .024). After adjusting for confounding variables (clinical and ILs), the HOMA-IR (p = .006) and insulin (p = .003) were lower in the higher-IL-15 group [HOMA-IR: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.9-2.5) and insulin: 9.1 mu IU/mL (95% CI: 7.9-10.3)] when compared to the lower-IL-15 group [HOMA-IR: 3.1 (95% CI: 2.6-3.6) and insulin: 12.9 (95% CI: 11.1-14.9)] after 9 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Higher levels of circulating IL-15 are positively associated with improvements in IR in PW with MS.

Automated summary

This study aims to determine whether higher levels of circulating IL-15 are positively associated with improvement in insulin resistance. In a 9-month follow-up, postmenopausal women were divided into a higher IL-15 group and a lower IL-15 group, and it was found that the higher IL-15 group showed improvements in insulin resistance and insulin levels.