OBJECTIVETo observe the polymorphism and gene frequency of interleukin 6 (IL6) gene -572C/G in Chinese Han nationality population, that associating with susceptibility to myocardial infarction(MI) and impacting on the extent of coronary artery lesions; to analyze the function of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism.

METHODSWith PCR-RFLP method, IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was genotyped to 232 MI patients and 260 healthy adults. The effect of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was observed to the extent of coronary artery lesions and the ability of IL6 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

RESULTSThere was IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism in Chinese Hans. -572CG+GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than in controls (P< 0.01). The relative risk for G allele carrier to suffer from MI was 1.68 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI 1.17-2.41, P< 0.01). However, the distribution of IL6 gene -572C/G polymorphism was no significant difference among patients with single-vessel, two-vessel and three-vessel lesions (P> 0.05). After PBMC cultured for 24 hours, the IL6 concentration in supernatant was significantly higher in subjects with CG genotype than those with CC genotype (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL6 gene -572G allele may be a genetic susceptibility factor to MI attack of Chinese Hans population, and related to the high expression of IL6.