Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 17, 2013
Interleukin 6 gene polymorphism in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis: a cohort study
Jung Sub Lee1, Jong Ki Shin2, Tae Sik Goh2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 1-10 Ami-Dong, Seo-Gu, Busan, 602-739, Republic of Korea. jungsublee@pusan.ac.kr.
Purpose:
Low bone mass and a female gender increase susceptibility to the development of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS), which suggests the potential involvement of an osteoporosis-related gene in the pathogenesis of DLS. In the present study, the authors studied the relations between polymorphisms of interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene and DLS in a patient cohort.
Methods:
In 184 patients with a diagnosis of DLS, the authors determined the presence of the -597 G/A, -572 G/C, and -174 G/C polymorphisms, measured bone mineral densities at the lumbar spine (LSBMD) and femoral neck (FNBMD), assessed radiological findings including lumbar scoliosis and lateral listhesis, investigated biochemical markers of bone turnover, and compared these results obtained with those of 220 healthy normal controls.
Results:
Genotype frequencies in the DLS patients and controls revealed a significant difference for the IL6-572 G/C polymorphism (P = 0.0168). Mean LSBMD was lower in DLS patients than in controls, but no significant difference was found between these two groups with respect to FNBMD, biochemical markers, or radiological findings. A significant association was found between the IL6-572 G/C polymorphism and LSBMD. LSBMD in DLS with the CC genotype was found to be significantly higher than in DLS with the GC (P < 0.05) or GG (P < 0.05) genotypes.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that the IL6-572 G/C polymorphism influences LSBMD in Korean DLS patients and the prevalence of the disease.

