Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms to determine acute pancreatitis susceptibility and severity: a meta-analysis

World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jun 7;20(21):6666-70. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i21.6666.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the correlation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and acute pancreatitis (AP) risk and severity.

Methods: To get a more precise estimation of the relationship, a comprehensive search was performed to examine all the eligible studies of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and AP risk. The odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of the association. Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's funnel plots.

Results: In total, six studies with 1255 cases and 998 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Totally, no significant associations were found between TLR4 Asp299Gly or Thr399Ile polymorphisms and AP risk using five models with high homogeneity (P > 0.05). Furthermore, stratification analysis by ethnicity or assay also found no significant association in these two polymorphisms (P > 0.05), and TLR4 Asp299Gly was not associated with AP severity (P > 0.05). In addition, no publication bias was found in these studies (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our current meta-analysis suggests that TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms may not be risk factors to AP susceptibility.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Risk; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Toll-like receptor 4.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatitis / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Risk Factors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics*

Substances

  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4