title: IL-6 572 C/G, 190 C/T, and 174 G/C gene polymorphisms in children's malnutrition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to establish the correlations between the polymorphisms of the genes interleukin-6 (IL-6) 572, 190, and 174 in children's malnutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed 283 hospitalized children and divided them into 2 groups: group I (control) included 110 patients with normal nutritional status, median (range) age 10.90 (1-18) years; and group II consisted of 173 malnourished patients, median (range) age 10.70 (1-18) years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2 groups underwent IL-6 572 cytosine allele (C)/guanine allele (G), 190 C/thymine allele (T), and 174 G/C polymorphism testing, measurement of anthropometric indicators (mid-upper arm circumference and tricipital skinfold thickness [TST]), and paraclinical evaluation (protein, albumin). We observed that the GG and CG genotypes were more frequent in malnourished children for the IL-6 174 gene (P = 0.0001), whereas the CT heterozygous genotype was more frequent in the malnourished group for the IL-6 190 gene (P = 0.003). Body mass index (BMI), middle upper arm circumference (MUAC), TST, and low serum albumin levels correlated with the GG and CG genotypes of the IL-6 572 and IL-6 174 genes, and with the CT genotype of the IL-6 190 gene, in children with malnutrition, whereas the IL-6 190 TT genotype was a protective factor for malnutrition (P = 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malnutrition is more frequently associated in children with IL-6 174 G allele carriers (GG and CG genotypes), whereas IL-6 190 TT genotype has a protective function. In malnourished children, the IL-6 572/190/174 GG/CT/CG, GG/CT/GG, GG/CC/GG, and GG/CC/CG combined genotypes are more frequent.
authors.affiliation: *Pediatrics Clinic I †Department of Genetics ‡Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Marginean
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Banescu
authors.forename: Septimiu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voidazan
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duicu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D001132:Arm; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000235:genetics*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D012709:Serum Albumin