OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between interleukin 10 (IL10) gene -627 polymorphisms and serum IL10 level and early-onset coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSThe genotype and allele frequency of IL10 gene -627 site was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). DNA samples were obtained from 163 patients with CHD and 112 controls. Serum IL10 level was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the distribution of IL10 genotype and allele frequency between the healthy controls and the patients with CHD; Chi-square values were 1.9324 and 1.5703 respectively, P > 0.05. Stratification analyses based on different sex still found no significant difference in the distribution of IL10 genotype and allele frequency between the healthy controls and the CHD patients; the Chi-square values in male groups were 1.2708 versus 0.8595, and in female groups were 0.8254 versus 0.7127, P > 0.05. Serum IL10 level showed significant differences among AA genotype, AC genotype and CC genotype, but no significant difference was noted between healthy controls and CHD patients.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that IL10 gene -627 polymorphisms are not associated with an increased risk of CHD, but it might assume a role in IL10 gene expression.