Fig. 1

ASC and IL-18 proteins are elevated in the serum of males over 45 y/o and in Caucasians when compared to Blacks and Hispanics: Protein levels in pg/ml of ASC (a) and IL-18 (b) in serum samples from healthy donors. Samples were then divided into Blacks, Caucasians and Hispanics (c and d). p-value of significance is shown above each box plot. Box and whiskers are shown for the 5th and 95th percentile. ASC: N = 17, 20 to 45 y/o and N = 40, > 45 y/o. IL-18: N = 19, 20 to 45 y/o and N = 39, > 45 y/o. ASC: N = 31 Black, N = 15 Caucasian and N = 8 Hispanic. IL-18: N = 35 Black, N = 16 Caucasian and N = 8 Hispanic