Study on interleukin 6 gene 634C/G polymorphisms of coronary heart disease in the elderly

Objective To explore the distribution of interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene promoter 634C/G polymorphisms in the elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and normal population and its correlation with CHD. Methods IL-6 gene-634C/G polymorphisms were assayed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 104 Han nationality elder patients with CHD and 106 healthy individuals. The relationship between gene polymorphisms of interleukin-6 and levels of serum lipids, C reactive protein and IL-6 were also studied. Results The -634C allele frequency in elder patients with CHD and normal controls was 85.4% and 77.9%, while -634G allele frequency was 22.1% and 14.6% respectively. The frequencies of GG genotype and -634G allele were higher in patients with CHD than those in controls (P0.05). Conclusions IL-6 gene -634C/G polymorphism could be related to CHD in the elderly. The G allele might be a marker for susceptibility of CHD.