Association of polymorphisms of interleukin-18 gene promoter region with polycystic ovary syndrome in chinese population.
BACKGROUND
Recent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels.


METHODS
To investigate the polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoters with PCOS, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of the IL-18 gene (at positions -607C/A and -137G/C) in 118 Chinese women with PCOS and 79 controls were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in the genotype distribution, allele frequency and haplotype frequency between the PCOS and control groups. Further analysis demonstrated a relationship between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and PCOS insulin resistance (IR). Regarding the -137 allele frequency, G and C allele frequencies were 93.5% and 6.5%, respectively, in the PCOS with IR patients; G and C allele frequencies were 85.4% and 14.6%, respectively, in PCOS patients without IR (chi2 = 3.601, P = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a polymorphism in the IL-18 gene was found to have no correlation with the occurrence of PCOS. Carriage of the C allele at position -137 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene may play a protective role from the development of PCOS IR.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
Yan
Y
Yang
Jie
J
Qiao
Mei-Zhi
MZ
Li
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000502:physiology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D013851:Thinness / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D020382:Interleukin-18