Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-597 A/G (rs1800797) & -174 G/C (rs1800795) gene polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Immunology

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with chronic inflammation and elevated cytokine levels.
• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in the inflammatory processes contributing to T2DM aetiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association of two IL-6 promoter polymorphisms, -597 A/G (rs1800797) and -174 G/C (rs1800795), with T2DM risk.
• To analyze the role of IL-6 gene variations in T2DM susceptibility in a North Indian population.

Main Methods:

• DNA analysis of T2DM patients (n=213) and healthy controls (n=145) from North India.
• Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique employed.
• Genotypic, allelic, and haplotypic frequencies were statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in clinical and biochemical parameters were observed between T2DM cases and controls.
• The -597 A/G polymorphism showed no significant association with T2DM.
• The -174 G/C polymorphism demonstrated a highly significant association (P<0.001) with T2DM.
• Haplotype analysis revealed a significant association for the -597G/-174C combination (P=0.010).

Conclusions:

• IL-6 gene polymorphisms, particularly the -174 G/C variant, are significantly associated with T2DM susceptibility in the North Indian population.
• These findings highlight the role of IL-6 in the inflammatory pathways underlying T2DM pathogenesis.