https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Temsirolimus.html Although immunoassays are the more widely used method, mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods have proven to be more sensitive, specific, and reliable. Advances in MS technology and its applications for therapeutic hormone monitoring have been significant, hence integration of these methods in the clinical setting is desired. Here, we provide a general overview of HT and ART, and the immunoassay and MS-based methods currently utilized for monitoring sex hormones. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in MS-based methods and discuss future applications and considerations for MS-based hormone assays. BACKGROUND Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory and proatherogenic cytokine, has been associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke and coronary artery disease. Some studies have indicated that the IL-18 promoter -137 G/C polymorphism seems to be associated with changes in the IL-18 expression and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between -137 G/C polymorphism and the levels of IL-18, biochemical markers for cardiovascular disorders, anthropometric profile and cardiovascular disease in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). DESIGN & METHODS Study subjects comprised 125 T2DM patients undergoing follow-up at a reference endocrinology service in northeastern Brazil. The -137G/C polymorphism in the IL-18 gene and serum IL-18 levels were determined by using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immune assay (ELISA), respectively. The anthropometric parameters were assessed using a Body Composition Monitor with Scale, and the laboratory data were measured using an automatic analyzer as well as spectrophotometric analysis. RESULTS The genotype distribution of IL-18 -137 G/C genetic polymorphism was significantly different among T2DM patients with and without CVD. The results show a