'Interieukin-4 gene polymorphism and its relation to periodontal disease in a Brazilian population of African heritage'

Objectives. Host modifying factors, such as genetic predisposition, may increase severity of periodontitis. Genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-4 (IL-4) genes seem to influence host response to microbial challenge. Two IL-4 polymorphisms were found in association with asthma and atopy, and Later with aggressive periodontitis in Caucasians. There seems to be a trend for racial differences regarding polymorphisms. Therefore, this study aimed to, evaluate if these IL-4 polymorphisms were associated with periodontal. disease in a Brazilian population of African heritage. Methods. Sixty patients were divided into two groups: periodontitis group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). Blood samples were taken and genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of 70 bp repeat polymorphism in intron 2 and in the - 590 position of the promoter region was performed through PCR-RFLP and electrophoresis in agarose get. Results. No significant differences were found in the genotype frequency of the polymorphisms between control and periodontitis group. Chi square test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. Conclusions. We concluded that the studied IL-4 polymorphisms were not related periodontal disease susceptibility in this African-American Brazilian population. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.