title: Association of interleukin-6 gene promoter polymorphism with coronary artery disease in Pakistani families.
abstract: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a well-known inflammatory cytokine and suggested to be involved in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). IL-6 gene expression has been investigated with controversy in CAD patients. This study investigates the association of the IL-6 gene expression with CAD, the molecular basis for the regulation of interleukin-6 expression in a Pakistani population. Our data show that the serum IL-6 levels were increased in patients with CAD compared with healthy controls and that the IL-6 gene polymorphism at -174 was more prevalent in CAD cases. There was a statistically significant association between the IL-6 gene polymorphism and CAD, which may be associated with an increased risk for the disease. Moreover, circulating IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with CC genotype (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, resp.). In a binary logistic-regression model, an independent association was found between CAD and increased serum IL-6 and hs-CRP levels and -174G>C polymorphism. This is the first report on the IL-6 expression and the IL-6 gene polymorphism in patients with CAD from Pakistan, and hence it highlights a novel risk factor for the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Humayoon Shafiq
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Satti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sabir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Qamar
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Javed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein