title: Polymorphism in the IL6 promoter region is associated with the risk factors and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in men: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inflammatory factors modify the risk of coronary heart disease. Promoter region genetic polymorphism of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL6 -174 G>C) is associated with the variation of IL-6 production. We investigated whether IL6 -174 G>C associates with the risk factors of atherosclerosis and carotid artery compliance (CAC) in young subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, we performed carotid artery ultrasound examinations, IL6 -174 G>C genotyping and coronary heart disease risk factor determination for 2228 subjects aged 24-39 years. In men CAC was higher for IL6 -174 GG (2.10+/-0.65) than for GC (2.00+/-0.68) or CC (1.95+/-0.63, %/10mmHg, mean+/-S.D., p=0.0221). A similar association was observed for HDL cholesterol (GG 1.22+/-0.29, GC 1.15+/-0.27 and CC 1.14+/-0.28mmol/L, p=0.0015) and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) (GG 1.44+/-0.21, GC 1.40+/-0.20, CC 1.38+/-0.21mmol/L, p=0.0118). The opposite genotype effect was present in systolic (GG 127+/-13.1, GC 129+/-13.1, CC 130+/-14.3mmHg, p=0.0382) and diastolic blood pressure (GG 73.8+/-9.14, GC 75.1+/-8.68, CC 75.9+/-9.70mmHg, p=0.0374). The genetic effect size for these parameters was not significant in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL6 -174 allele G homozygozity associates with beneficial profile of early predictors of atherosclerosis such as high CAC, HDL-C and apoA1 as well as low systolic and diastolic blood pressure in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland. janne.hulkkonen@uta.fi
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hulkkonen
authors.forename: Terho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehtimäki
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mononen
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juonala
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hutri-Kähönen
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taittonen
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marniemi
authors.forename: Tuomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nieminen
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viikari
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Raitakari
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kähönen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6