TNF-α -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms are associated with dyslipidaemia

TNF-α polymorphisms may influence dyslipidaemia, but their role remains unclear. This case-control study investigated associations between TNF-α gene polymorphisms (-1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -308G/A and -238G/A) and dyslipidaemia in 595 participants (162 cases, 433 controls) from the Chaoshan region of China. Anthropometric, biochemical and genetic data were analysed using χ² tests and logistic regression, with the false discovery rate (FDR) method applied to correct for multiple comparisons. Results revealed that only the -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms were significantly associated with dyslipidaemia. Carriers of the TC + CC genotype for -1031T/C (OR = 0·48; 95 % CI: 0·30, 0·78; P_FDR = 0·006) and the CA + AA genotype for -863C/A (OR = 0·41; 95 % CI: 0·24, 0·70; P_FDR = 0·004) had lower odds of dyslipidaemia. Protective effects were observed for the C allele at -1031T/C (OR = 0·58, P_FDR = 0·012) and the A allele at -863C/A (OR = 0·47, P_FDR = 0·004). Stratified analyses showed that these associations were significant in males but not females. Functional annotation linked these TNF-α gene polymorphisms to transcription factors (e.g. HNF-1A, STAT1β) in the adipogenesis pathway. This study reveals genetic associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and dyslipidaemia, particularly in males, and provides mechanistic insights into their role in transcriptional regulation.