Interleukin-6 (IL-6) G-174C Polymorphism
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is synthesized in response to diverse inflammatory
stimuli and causes cellular damage and promotes atherosclerotic process.
Elevated concentrations of IL-6 are associated with the development and
severity of coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as with the transition to
plaque instability and subsequent poor outcome. Concurrently, there is the
presence of chronic gastric, lung, and gum inflammation. A G174C
mutation in IL-6 gene is associated with :
1) increased plasma IL-6 levels after coronary artery bypass surgery;
2) predicts poor prognosis in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms;
3) CC homozygotes demonstrate a more than 2-fold reduction in risk of
CHD (odds ratio 0.46) after treatment with statin drugs (such as
Pravastatin) compared to the GG and GC genotypes;
4) involved in the pathogenesis of hyperandrogenism (which is a known
risk factor for coronary artery disease). For these reasons the IL-6
genotype may provide a more robust marker of cardiovascular risk.
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