Aim: To investigate TNF-alpha-308 and TNFB polymorphisms in acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) and to related them to the plasma TNF-alpha levels.
Methods: Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood leukocytes. Genotypes and allele frequencies were determined in patients (n=127) and healthy controls (n=102) using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Reading the size of digested bands from polyacrylamide gel demonstrated the two alleles TNF1 and TNF2, or the two alleles TNFB1 and TNFB2.
Results: The frequencies of TNF2 polymorphism and TNFB2 polymorphism were both similar in patients with mild or severe pancreatitis, so were in pancreatitis patients and in controls. Patients with septic shock showed a significantly higher prevalence of the TNF2 than those without. No significant differences were found in the genotype distribution of TNF-alpha-308 and TNFB among different groups. Plasma TNF-alpha levels did not differ significantly in ASBP patients displaying different alleles of the TNF gene studied.
Conclusion: Results indicate that TNF gene polymorphisms studied play no part in determination of disease severity or susceptibility to acute biliary pancreatitis; however, TNF2 polymorphism is associated with septic shock from ASBP. Genetic factors are not important in determining plasma TNF-alpha levels in ASBP.