Interleukin (IL) 1beta and IL-10 gene polymorphism in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal or elevated alanine aminotransferase levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of cytokine gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of IL-1beta and IL-10 at promoter sites -115 and -1082 respectively and their association with hepatocellular injury as suggested by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level.


METHODS
Fifty six patients (31 males, 25 females) positive for HCV antibody were studied. Their mean age was 37.5 +/- 12.0 years (range 16-62). Fifty one were HCV RNA positive; 14 had normal and 37 elevated ALT levels. Type 3 was the predominant genotype. For cytokine polymorphism DNA was extracted from the whole blood. After amplification with polymerase chain reaction, biallelic polymorphisms of IL-1beta at -115 and IL-10 at -1082 promotor site were determined using sequence specific oligonucleotide primers.


RESULTS
IL-1beta-15 C allele was present in 49 (87.5%) and -115 T in 30 (53.6%) patients. Genotype CC was present in 26 (46%), TC 23 in (42%), and TT in 07 (12%). IL-10 -1082 A allele was seen in 50 (89.3%) and -1082 G in 35 (62.5%). Genotype AG in 29 (52%), AA in 21(37%), and GG in 06 (11%). Though greater number of HCV RNA positive patients with normal ALT had IL-10 -1082 AG genotype (10 out of 14), no statistically significant difference could be found in the genotype profile of the above promoter sites of IL-1beta and IL-10 in patients with normal or elevated ALT.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-1beta-115 C and IL-10 -1082A are the more frequent alleles in our patients. Genotypes L-1beta -115 CC and TC, and IL-10 -1082AG and AA are common while -115 TT and -1082 GG are less common. Any effect of IL-1beta and IL-10 gene polymorphism on the degree of hepatocellular injury may not be apparent by the ALT levels.
Abbas
Z
Z
Gastroenterology Section, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Civil Hospital, Karachi.
Moatter
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D007375:Interleukin-1; D016753:Interleukin-10; D000410:Alanine Transaminase