Association between genetic polymorphisms of interleukin 6 (IL6), IL6R and IL18 with metabolic syndrome in obese Chilean children Polimorfismos genéticos de interleuquina 6 (IL6), IL6R e IL18: Asociación con componentes del síndrome metabólico en niños ch

Abstract

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent among obese children and adolescents and is considered a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with an increase in circulating levels of interleukins 6 (IL6) and 18 (IL18), which in turn would depend on polymorphisms of IL6, IL6R and IL18 genes. Aim: To evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms of IL6 (rs1800795, rs1800796 and rs1800797), IL6R (rs2228145) and IL18 (rs360719, rs187238 and rs204355) and MS and/or its components in a sample of Chilean obese children. Patients and Methods: These polymorphisms were genotyped in 259 obese children aged 10 ± 2 years with a body mass index of 26.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2. Sixty eight had metabolic syndrome (26.3%). The association of their alleles, genotypes and haplotypes with the MS and its components was assessed. Results: IL6, IL6R and IL18 variants showed no association with SM nor with any of the phenotypes that