IL6 gene promoter polymorphism (-174G/C) influences the association between fat mass and cardiovascular risk factors

A. MOLERES, T. RENDO-URTEAGA, C. AZCONA, J.A. MARTINEZ, S. GOMEZ-MARTINEZ, J.R. RUIZ, L.A. MORENO, A. MARCOS and A. MARTI (AVENA group). IL6 gene promoter polymorphism (-174G/C) influences the association between fat mass and cardiovascular risk factors. J Physiol Biochem, 65 (4), 405414, 2009. During the last decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly among young people. A polymorphism in the promoter region of the 11,6 gene (-174G/C), has been previously reported to be involved in obesity and metabolic syndrome development. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine whether the IL6 -174G/C polymorphism influence the association of body fat with low-grade inflammatory markers and blood lipids and lipoproteins in Spanish adolescents. 504 Spanish adolescents participating in the AVENA study were genotyped for the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken and blood samples were collected for plasma molecules determinations. No differences between genotypes were observed in anthropometric values, body composition measurements and plasma markers concentration. Physical activity level differ between genotypes with subjects carrying the C allele of the polymorphism being significantly (p<0.05) more active than GG subjects. The association between body fat mass and plasma glucose was influenced by the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene. Subjects carrying the C allele of the mutation seem to have higher values of lipoprotein (a) and C-reactive protein as their percentage of body fat mass increase. Our results suggest that this promoter polymorphism influences the association between adiposity and some plasma markers.