Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene and the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss in Japanese women

Fertil Steril. 2004 Feb;81(2):374-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.06.023.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationships between recurrent pregnancy loss and single nucleotide polymorphisms (-634C-->G and -174G-->C genotypes) in the promoter region of the interleukin (IL)-6 gene in the Japanese population.

Design: A case-control study.

Setting: Obstetrics and gynecology department of a university hospital.

Patient(s): Cases were 76 women with recurrent pregnancy loss; controls were 93 fertile women.

Intervention(s): Determination of IL-6 promoter gene polymorphisms performed by polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis.

Main outcome measure(s): Frequency and distribution of the promoter region of the IL-6 gene allele.

Results: There was a significant difference in the -634C-->G genotype frequency (CC vs. CG/GG) between women with recurrent pregnancy loss and controls. The risk of recurrent pregnancy loss was lower in the carriers of the G allele than in women with the wild type (CC) (odds ratio = 0.46; 95% confidence interval = 0.24-0.91). On the other hand, we did not detect any carrier of -174C among the 169 subjects.

Conclusion(s): The results suggest that, in the Japanese population, women carrying the -634G allele of the IL-6 gene might have a decreased risk of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Primers
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Maternal Age
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, High-Risk
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Interleukin-6