Background and aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection induces cytokine production and is associated with gastrointestinal diseases. This study examined the relationship of gene polymorphisms, including interleukin (IL)-1beta, -10, -8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), H. pylori infection, and susceptibility to gastrointestinal disorders in Taiwanese patients.
Methods: IL-1beta-511/-31/+3953, -10-1082/-819/-592, -8-251, and TNF-alpha-308 polymorphisms were assessed in 628 gastrointestinal disease patients, and 176 healthy controls were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.
Results: IL-1beta-511 T/T and -31 C/C genotypes, and IL-1beta-511 T and -31 C alleles were associated with an increased risk of reflux esophagitis (P = 0.034, odds ratio [OR] = 1.384, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.023-1.871; P = 0.031, OR = 1.388, 95% CI: 1.028-1.873; P = 0.044, OR = 1.342, 95% CI: 1.008-1.786; and P = 0.040, OR = 1.349, 95% CI: 1.014-1.796, respectively). No relationship was found between H. pylori infection and the risk of reflux esophagitis. IL-10-819 C/T and -10-592 A/C genotypes and IL-10-1082/-819/-592 ATA/ACC and ATA/GCC haplotypes were associated with an increased risk of gastritis (P = 0.021, OR = 1.721, 95% CI: 1.084-2.733; P = 0.016, OR = 1.766, 95% CI: 1.112-2.805; P = 0.039, OR = 1.662, 95% CI: 1.024-2.697; and P = 0.035, OR = 1.600, 95% CI: 1.024-2.499, respectively).
Conclusion: Among Taiwanese patients, IL-1beta and -10 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of erosive reflux esophagitis and gastritis, respectively.