Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112 - P99
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819217

C-174G IL-6 promoter polymorphism (C-174G) is not associated with IL-6, obesity or hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

M Möhlig 1, J Spranger 1, M Osterhoff 1, M Ristow 1, G Brabant 2, AFH Pfeiffer 1, C Schöfl 2
  • 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany and Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Charité- University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Introduction: The PCOS is a known risk factor of impaired glucose homeostasis and atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that increased and chronic inflammation could link PCOS to these associated complications. The C-174G IL-6 promoter polymorphism (C-174G) has been previously proposed to be associated with IL-6 levels, obesity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, which are common features in PCOS patients. Therefore, we investigated this polymorphism in women with PCOS.

Methods: Fifty PCOS patients with normal fasting glucose were included (age 28.9±5yrs, BMI 28.8±6.9kg/m2, fasting plasma glucose 80.3±12.2mg/dl). DNA was extracted from blood cells. After amplification of the region of interest by PCR C-174G was investigated using the primer elongation method. Insulin and testosterone were measured by a RIA, IL-6 by ELISA. HOMA was calculated with the HOMA2 computer program. For statistical analysis non-parametric tests were applied.

Results: The genotype distribution was 38% GG, 42% GC and 20% CC. IL-6 values were not significantly different between the genotypes (p=0.48). IL-6 was 1.5±0.9 pg/ml for GG genotype, 2.0±1.5 pg/ml for GC genotype and 1.5±0.9 pg/ml for CC genotype, respectively. Additionally, no genotype-dependent differences in BMI (GG 28.4±6.6, GC 29.5±5.9, CC 28.1±9.7kg/m2, p=0.63), insulin resistance (HOMA, GG 87.5±57.4, GC 92.5±55.4, CC 95.6±54.9%, p=0.81) or testosterone (GG 1.1±0.4, GC 0.8±0.3, CC 1.0±0.5, p=0.16) could be observed.

Discussion: In our cohort of PCOS patients we could not find an association between IL-6 concentrations and C-174G IL-6 promoter polymorphism. Furthermore, features of the PCOS like obesity, insulin resistance or elevated testosterone levels were not significantly different between the genotypes. We have therefore no evidence for a link between the C-174G IL-6 promoter polymorphism and features or complications associated with PCOS.