A common interleukin-6 gene promoter polymorphism influences the clinical characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of a common polymorphism of the interleukin-6 gene (IL6) promoter with the occurence and the clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective, case-control study.


METHODS
Academic research institution.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients with PCOS and 94 healthy controls.


METHODS
Peripheral venous puncture, ultrasonography, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), questionnaire.


METHODS
Genotype analysis with respect to the common -174 G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene promoter, analysis of testosterone (T), androstendione, and sex hormone binding globulin serum levels, and evaluation of the OGTT.


RESULTS
Allele frequencies among women with PCOS and controls were 62.9% and 64.4%, respectively, for the wild-type G allele, and 37.1% and 35.6%, respectively, for the mutant C allele. We ascertained a significant association between presence of at least one mutant C allele and the clinical characteristics of affected women: these women were more likely to present with a body mass index >27 kg/m(2), elevated total T serum levels, and a pathological OGTT result.


CONCLUSIONS
A common polymorphism of the IL6 promoter, although not associated with the presence of PCOS, is associated with the clinical characteristics of women affected by this condition.
Walch
Katharina
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria. katharina.walch@meduniwien.ac.at
Grimm
Christoph
C
Zeillinger
Robert
R
Huber
Johannes C
JC
Nagele
Friedrich
F
Hefler
Lukas A
LA
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D015850:Interleukin-6; D013739:Testosterone