Proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 β polymorphisms in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The cause and pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remain unknown. IL-1β is one of the most powerful inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) gene polymorphisms (-511 C/T and +3953 C/T) in patients with SSNHL. One hundred two patients affected by SSNHL and 595 controls were genotyped for IL-1β gene polymorphisms. The polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA fragment separation via electrophoresis. Compared to controls, the IL-1β (+3953) T allele increased the relative risk of SSNHL in subjects with IL-1β (-511) TT genotype (p = 0.022, OR = 9.111, 95% CI = 1.441-57.618). In this study, polymorphisms in the IL-1β -511 and IL-1β +3953 loci were assessed for evidence of association with SSNHL. From this assessment, a significant difference in carriage of both the IL-1β -511 T allele and the IL-1β +3953 T allele was observed between SSNHL and controls. This suggests that the IL-1β -511 and +3953 loci may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of SSNHL.