Moreover, after treatment, serum levels of IL-1b and IL-18 in the SLE group decreased obviously (p = 0.0000, Fig. 4); however, in post-treatment SLE patients, IL-1b was still elevated compared to that in healthy controls (p = 0.0020, Fig. 4a), whereas IL-18 levels were not significantly different (p = 0.4950, Fig. 4b). The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.