AIM: The interleukin-6 (IL-6) -174 G/C polymorphism has been reported to determine IL-6 levels and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disorders. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism on hemostatic or inflammatory markers in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), a common manifestation of obliterative atherosclerosis. METHODS: Plasma IL-6, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinopeptide A and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels were determined in PAOD patients (n=50) and healthy controls (n=30) genotyped for the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism. RESULTS: In the control group, IL-6, CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly associated with the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism with a gene-dosage effect being the highest in the CC subjects and the lowest in those with the GG genotype (P<0.0001, P=0.0002 and P=0.0001, respectively). Interestingly, the CC homozygotes had lower PAI-1 levels than carriers of the G allele (P=0.04). In PAOD patients, the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism had no effect on all the variables measured. CONCLUSION: In contrast to apparently healthy subjects, the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism showed no association with plasma IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen and PAI-1 levels in PAOD patients.
AIM: The interleukin-6 (IL-6) -174 G/C polymorphism has been reported to determine IL-6 levels and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disorders. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism on hemostatic or inflammatory markers in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), a common manifestation of obliterative atherosclerosis. METHODS: Plasma IL-6, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinopeptide A and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels were determined in PAOD patients (n=50) and healthy controls (n=30) genotyped for the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism. RESULTS: In the control group, IL-6, CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly associated with the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism with a gene-dosage effect being the highest in the CC subjects and the lowest in those with the GG genotype (P<0.0001, P=0.0002 and P=0.0001, respectively). Interestingly, the CC homozygotes had lower PAI-1 levels than carriers of the G allele (P=0.04). In PAOD patients, the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism had no effect on all the variables measured. CONCLUSION: In contrast to apparently healthy subjects, the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism showed no association with plasma IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen and PAI-1 levels in PAOD patients.