IL18 and metabolic syndrome: However, in a study comparing 82 women divided into two groups according to their hormonal status: pre- (n = 34) and postmenopausal women (n = 48) no significant differences were observed between IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ, but, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal women, especially those positive for components for the MetS [60].