The interleukin 6 -572 G>C (rs1800796) polymorphism is associated with the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Inflammation plays an essential role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions and plaque disruption. Cytokines are central regulators in immunoinflammatory mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of INF-γ and IL-6 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in a group of Mexican patients. Methods: Four polymorphisms (INF-γ -155 G>A, INF-γ -179 T>G, IL-6 -572 G>C, and IL-6 -1426 T>G) of the INF-γ and IL-6 genes were analyzed by 5′ exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in a group of 284 patients with ACS (mean age=58.88±11.7 years) and 247 healthy unrelated controls (mean age=56.03±4.13 years). Results: Distribution of INF-γ -179 G>T (rs2069709) and INF-γ -155 G>A (rs2069710) polymorphisms was similar in patients and healthy controls. A significant difference was observed in the distribution of IL-6 -572 G>C (rs1800796) genotypes between patients with ACS and healthy controls (p=0.019). Estimated odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) showed a protective role of the IL-6 -572 (rs1800796) CC when compared with the GG genotype (wild type) (odds ratio=0.6, 95% CI=0.33-1.08). In this case, heterozygous individuals with GC genotype had 2.19-fold increased risk of developing ACS than CC homozygous (p=0.007, 95% CI=1.24-3.96). Conclusions: The results suggest that IL-6 -572 G>C (rs1800796) polymorphism could be involved in the risk of developing ACS in Mexican individuals. © 2010, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.