The association of TNF-αpolymorphism with inflammatory bowel diseases

Objective To investigate the association of TNF-α-308 polymorphism with susceptibility and activity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Methods Fifty two IBD patients were involved in the study including 32 cases of ulcerous colitis (UC) and 20 cases of Crohn's Disease (CD). The TNF-α genetic polymorphisms at position -308 were determined by the Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum C-reactive protein of IBD was measured and clinical activity index were assessed. Results There were no significant differences in distribution of TNF1 and TNF2 genotype between the controls and UC, CD patients (P0.05). The mean level of CRP in TNF2 genotype was 21.40±10.56mg L, higher than that in patients with TNF1 genotype (11.47±6.02mg L, P0.05). Compared with TNF1, there was an increase number of patients with TNF2 with higher clinical activity index (P0.05). Conclusion TNF-α-308 genetic polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility to IBD, but is associated with inflammatory activity of the disiease.