Poster European Human Genetics Conference May 2005 Prague

Abstract
STUDY FOR POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION OF THE INTERLEUKIN-6 -174G/C
PROMOTER POLYMORPHISM WITH PREMATURE CORONARY
ARTERY DISEASE IN THE GREEK POPULATION
Arvaniti H. 1, Vasilakou M. 1, Hatzipanagi D. 1, Votteas V. 2, Kasparian H. 2,
Pantazopoulos N. 2, Peste K. 3, Spyropoulou-Vlahou M. 3, Stauropoulou-Gkioka A. 3,
Lamnissou K. 1
1

Dept of Biology, University of Athens, Greece

Dept of Cardiology, Laiko: Hospital, Athens
3
Dept of Immunology, G.Gennimatas Hospital, Athens
2

The interleukine-6 (IL-6) protein is a pleiotropic cytokine which play a central role in
inflammation. The former was suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of
different diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). In the
present study we investigated the possible association between the -174G/C
polymorphism of the promoter of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on risk of premature CAD in
the Greek population. In the prospective case-control study, 129 CAD patients,
documented by coronary angiography, aged under 58 years and 120 healthy controls
were studied. To genotype the subjects we used the PCR-RFLPS method. The
frequencies of GG, GC, CC genotypes were 0.66, 0.31, 0.03, respectively, in the
patient group and 0.62, 0.31, 0.07, respectively, in the control group. The dada
between the two groups were analyzed by chi-square test. Our results showed that
there was no patient/control significant differences and they suggest that there is no
association of the IL-6 -174G/C promoter polymorphism with the risk of premature
coronary artery disease in the Greek population.