Serum interleukin-18 in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

Introduction: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome has been considered a cell-mediated immunity disorder with T cell dysfunction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate immunologic dysfunction in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) by evaluating serum interleukin-18 (IL-18). Patients and Methods: A total of 30 children with SSNS (n=20 males, n=10 females), aged 1-11 years were enrolled in this study. All of them were treated with steroids at the time of study. Serum IL-18 was compared during both active and remission phases of nephrotic syndrome. In addition, correlation between serum IL-18 with urine protein and serum biochemical variables was evaluated. Results: Mean serum IL-18 was higher in the active phase, and decreased significantly post-steroid treatment (4.87 +/- 1.43 ng/L versus 2.39 +/- 0.94 ng/L; P = 0.01). It had no correlation with other variables. Conclusion: According to increased serum IL-18 level, dysregulation of type-1 and type-2 mediated immune reactions is suggested in children with SSNS.