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The role of IL-6 572 C/G, 190 C/T, and 174 G/C gene polymorphisms in children’s obesity

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the correlations between the polymorphisms of the genes interleukin (IL)-6 572, 190, and 174 in obese children. We assessed 222 hospitalized children divided into two groups: group I (control) included 110 patients with normal nutritional status, and group II consisted of 102 obesity patients. The two groups underwent IL-6 572 C/G, 190 C/T, and 174 G/C polymorphism testing, measurement of anthropometric parameters (mid-upper arm circumference and tricipital skinfold thickness), and paraclinical evaluation (protein, albumin, leptin, adiponectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). We observed that phenotype CC was more frequent in obese children for IL-6 572 (p = 0.0001), whereas CG heterozygotes were more frequent in the obese group for the IL-6 190 gene (62.7 %; p = 0.0001). Leptin was dependent on IL-6 572 and IL-6 174 gene polymorphisms and albumin, whereas adiponectin was dependent on the IL-6 174 gene polymorphism. Body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and tricipital skinfold thickness (TST) serum albumin levels correlated with C allele carriers of the IL-6 572 and IL-6 190 genes in children with obesity, whereas the CC genotype of IL-6 174 was a protective factor for obesity. Conclusion: Obesity is most frequently associated in children with IL-6 174 C allele carriers and with IL-6 190 C allele carriers.

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Abbreviations

ADP:

Adiponectin

ALAT:

Alanine aminotransferase

ASAT:

Aspartate aminotransferase

BMI:

Body mass index

CI:

Confidence interval

EIA:

Enzyme immunoassay

FTO:

Fat mass- and obesity-associated gene

HDL:

High-density lipoprotein

HDL-chol:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

HBP:

High blood pressure

IL-6:

Interleukin 6

IL-8:

Interleukin 8

LDL-chol:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein

MC2R gene:

Melanocortin 2 receptor gene

MC3R gene:

Melanocortin 3 receptor gene

MC4R gene:

Melanocortin 4 receptor gene

MUAC:

Mid-upper arm circumference

POMC:

Proopiomelanocortin

PPAR γ2:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

SD:

Standard deviation

SIM1:

Single-minded homologue

T-Chol:

Total cholesterol

TG:

Triglycerides

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

TST:

Tricipital skinfold thickness

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Acknowledgments

The English proofreading was managed by Professional Editing Services via spi-global.com (www.prof-editing.com). This work was supported by Internal Research Grants (Project No. 19/11.12.2013) from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Romania.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatrics Clinic I, University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Tirgu Mureş, Romania

    Mărginean Cristina Oana, Duicu Carmen & Pitea Ana Maria

  2. Department of Genetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy , 38 Gh. Marinescu St., 540139, Tirgu Mureş, Romania

    Bănescu Claudia

  3. Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tirgu Mureş, Romania

    Voidăzan Septimiu

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tirgu Mureş, Romania

    Mărginean Claudiu

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  1. Mărginean Cristina Oana
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  2. Bănescu Claudia
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  4. Pitea Ana Maria
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  5. Voidăzan Septimiu
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  6. Mărginean Claudiu
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Correspondence to Bănescu Claudia.

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Communicated by Peter de Winter

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Oana, M.C., Claudia, B., Carmen, D. et al. The role of IL-6 572 C/G, 190 C/T, and 174 G/C gene polymorphisms in children’s obesity. Eur J Pediatr 173, 1285–1296 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2315-5

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