Objective In this study, Mendelian randomization method was used to determine whether there was a causal association between inflammatory cytokine IL-18 and cardiovascular disease risk. Methods We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between IL-18 -137G/C and -607C/A polymorphisms and phenotype of IL-18 levels, and also the risks of CVD. All the literatures were searched before September 30, 2019. The logistic regression and linear regression were used to evaluate between IL-18 level and the risk of CVDs. Result Twelve eligible articles of the association between IL-18 -137G/C and CVD risks and 8 eligible literatures related to IL-18 -607C/A and CVD risks; 2 qualified literatures of the association between IL-18 SNPs and IL-18 levels and 4 eligible literatures related to IL-18 levels and CVD risks. Data of 4 literatures on the correlation between IL-18 level and CVD were summarized. Compared with patients with CVD, the mean of IL-18 level in the normal group was significantly decreased by 50.844 pg/ml ( P < 0.05). But the association between IL-18 -137G/C, IL-18 -607C/A and CVD were not significant ( P > 0.05), and the association between IL-18 -607C/A and IL-18 level was also not significant ( P > 0.05), Mendelian randomization study was failed to prove the association between IL-18 level and CVD risk. Conclusion This study does not support a causal association between IL-18 level and the risks of CVD.

中文翻译：

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白细胞介素 18 水平与心血管疾病风险之间没有关联：孟德尔随机化研究

目的本研究采用孟德尔随机化方法确定炎性细胞因子IL-18与心血管疾病风险之间是否存在因果关系。方法 我们进行了一项荟萃分析来评估 IL-18 -137G/C 和 -607C/A 多态性与 IL-18 水平表型之间的关联，以及心血管疾病的风险。检索2019年9月30日前所有文献，采用logistic回归和线性回归评估IL-18水平与心血管疾病风险之间的关系。结果 12篇IL-18 -137G/C与CVD风险相关的符合条件的文章和8篇IL-18 -607C/A与CVD风险相关的符合条件的文献；IL-18 SNP 与 IL-18 水平相关的合格文献 2 篇，IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险相关的合格文献 4 篇。总结了4篇文献中IL-18水平与CVD相关性的资料。与CVD患者相比，正常组IL-18水平平均值显着降低50.844 pg/ml（ P < 0.05）。但IL-18 -137G/C、IL-18 -607C/A与CVD的相关性不显着（P > 0.05），IL-18 -607C/A与IL-18水平的相关性也不显着( P > 0.05)，孟德尔随机化研究未能证明 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间存在关联。结论 本研究不支持 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间存在因果关系。IL-18 -607C/A 和 CVD 不显着（ P > 0.05），IL-18 -607C/A 和 IL-18 水平之间的相关性也不显着（ P > 0.05），孟德尔随机化研究失败证明 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间的关联。结论 本研究不支持 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间存在因果关系。IL-18 -607C/A 和 CVD 不显着（ P > 0.05），IL-18 -607C/A 和 IL-18 水平之间的相关性也不显着（ P > 0.05），孟德尔随机化研究失败证明 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间的关联。结论 本研究不支持 IL-18 水平与 CVD 风险之间存在因果关系。