Abstract
BackgroundRecent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels.MethodsTo investigate the polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoters with PCOS, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of the IL-18 gene (at positions -607C/A and -137G/C) in 118 Chinese women with PCOS and 79 controls were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsNo significant differences were found in the genotype distribution, allele frequency and haplotype frequency between the PCOS and control groups. Further analysis demonstrated a relationship between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and PCOS insulin resistance (IR). Regarding the -137 allele frequency, G and C allele frequencies were 93.5% and 6.5%, respectively, in the PCOS with IR patients; G and C allele frequencies were 85.4% and 14.6%, respectively, in PCOS patients without IR (chi2 = 3.601, P = 0.048).ConclusionsThe presence of a polymorphism in the IL-18 gene was found to have no correlation with the occurrence of PCOS. Carriage of the C allele at position -137 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene may play a protective role from the development of PCOS IR.
Highlights
Recent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with lowgrade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels
Studies have shown that a common polymorphism of the interleukin-1a gene (IL) is associated with the presence of PCOS [5], and a polymorphism of the IL-6 promoter is associated with clinical characteristics of women affected by PCOS [6]
IL-18 gene polymorphisms had no direct relationship with the pathogenesis of PCOS
Summary
Recent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with lowgrade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and complex endocrine disorder of women in their reproductive years, with prevalence between 5% and 10% of the general population [1,2]. Studies have shown that a common polymorphism of the interleukin-1a gene (IL) is associated with the presence of PCOS [5], and a polymorphism of the IL-6 promoter is associated with clinical characteristics of women affected by PCOS [6]. In order to investigate the possible roles of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of PCOS and its relationship with insulin resistance (IR), obesity and hyperandrogenism, the polymorphisms at positions -607 and -137 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene in PCOS patients has been investigated
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