Association of serum level of interleukin-33 and insulin resistance in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism patients

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of the hormone thyroid, as a result of various factors such as hypothalamic or pituitary gland disease, common tissue resistance to thyroid hormones, and thyroid gland diseases. Hypothyroidism is the most prevalent thyroid disorder. Interleukin (IL)-33 is a nuclear cytokine of the IL-1 family members that is abundantly expressed during homeostasis and inflammation in endothelial, epithelial, and fibroblast-like cells. It is worth noting that higher IL-33 levels have been associated with insulin resistance. The purpose of the study was to examine the correlation between insulin resistance and IL-33 in patients with hypothyroidism. In this case-control study, 180 people were recruited and split into three categories: those with overt hypothyroidism (60), those with subclinical hypothyroidism (60), and those who were otherwise healthy control (60). There were of a similar age range to the patient, with 55.5% female participants and 44.5% male participants. Standard ELISA kits assess insulin, IL-33, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). The healthy control group showed lower serum IL-33 levels than individuals with both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Compared to the healthy control group, all hypothyroidism groups had higher BMI, serum TSH, fasting glycemic glucose (FSG), insulin, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol levels (Chol), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), IL-33, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In hypothyroid patients, IL-33 levels were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and HDL-C and positively correlated with body mass index, TSH, FSG, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, and total cholesterol. Increased levels of circulating IL-33 in the serum of patients with hypothyroidism are linked to alterations in lipid profiles and HOMA-IR. Hypothyroid patients, especially those with obvious symptoms showed elevated levels of IL-33, suggesting a possible role for this cytokine in detecting the metabolic shifts that precede these complications.