title: The IL-1β (+3953 T/C) gene polymorphism associates to symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) might play some role in lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study in which 179 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The case group was made of 50 patients with symptomatic LDH diagnosed by MRI while the control group was made of 129 individuals undergoing routine hip or knee arthroplasty with a lifetime lack of low back pain. SNPs in the cytokine genes of IL-1 [IL-1α (-889 C/T), IL-1β (+3953 T/C)], TNF-α (-308 G/A and -238 G/A) and NOS genes [eNOS (r 27 bp, intron 4 and -786 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A)].
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CC genotype and C allele of the IL-1β (+3953 T/C) SNP were significantly more frequent among LDH patients compared to controls. On the other hand, eNOS (-768 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A) SNPs were significantly more common in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carriers of the CC genotype of the IL-1β (+3953 T/C) SNP were more frequent among LDH patients suggesting some potential role of the IL-1β SNP on LDH pathogenesis. The eNOS (-786 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A) SNPs were more frequent among the control subjects, suggesting their possible protective role against LDH. Genotyping these SNPs could be useful to identify persons with an increased lifetime risk of disc herniation in whom measures to avoid LDH could be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Celestino Villamil s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain. jose_paz6@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paz Aparicio
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fernández Bances
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-Anglada Fernández
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paz Aparicio
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pena Vázquez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramos García
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antón García
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López Fernández
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valle-Garay
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Asensi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006801:Humans; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000235:genetics; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha