Interleukin-6 g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism is associated with obesity in the EPIC-Potsdam Study.
Homozygosity for the interleukin-6 (IL-6) g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism has recently been associated with indices of overweight. Homozygous subjects were observed to have reduced energy expenditure, suggesting that lower IL-6 gene transcription, caused by the IL-6 g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism, may be associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of this polymorphism with long-term weight gain. For 334 normal weight (20 < BMI < or = 25 kg/m2) and 334 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) subjects matched by age and sex originating from the population-based EPIC-Potsdam Study, recalled weight change from age 25 to study enrollment was determined, the IL-6 g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism was defined, and plasma concentrations of IL-6 and C-reactive protein were measured. The IL-6 g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with obesity (chi2 = 7,34, p = 0.026). Odds ratios for subjects with GC and CC genotypes for obesity were 1.19 (95% CI: 0.84 to 1.68; p = 0.323) and 1.91 (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.08; p = 0.007), respectively. Recalled weight change from age 25 years to study enrollment differed significantly according to genotype (p = 0.044) and was most pronounced in subjects with the CC genotype, suggesting that the IL-6 g.-174G>C promoter polymorphism is a susceptibility or modifying locus for common obesity and weight gain.
Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal. klipsteingk@sph.wits.ac.za
Kerstin
K
Klipstein-Grobusch
Matthias
M
Möhlig
Joachim
J
Spranger
Kurt
K
Hoffmann
Fabio U S
FU
Rodrigues
Arya M
AM
Sharma
Susanne
S
Klaus
Andreas F H
AF
Pfeiffer
Heiner
H
Boeing
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000235:genetics
D015850:Interleukin-6