The-174G/C polymorphism of IL-6 is useful to screen old subjects at risk for atherosclerosis or to reach successful ageing

High levels of IL-6 are coupled with impaired immune efficiency, morbidity and mortality in ageing. Elderly men with GG (C -) genotype in - 174 locus of IL-6 promoter are disadvantaged for longevity due to higher IL-6 than CG or CC (C +) carriers. As IL-6 increases in atherosclerosis, the study of the polymorphism of IL-6 may be a useful tool in identifying old subjects at risk for atherosclerosis. Thus, we divided old men into C + and C - genotypes. Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, MTmRNA and zinc ion bioavailability were also evaluated and compared with nonagenarians and old patients affected by carotid stenosis. Old C - patients display, other than elevated IL-6, higher IL-10, TNF-alpha and MTmRNA coupled with impaired NK cell cytotoxicity and lower zinc ion bioavailability than C + patients. The same trend is observed in old subjects with C - phenotype. Nonagenarians with C + genotype show less inflammation, low MTmRNA, satisfactory NK cell cytotoxicity and good zinc bioavailability than Ion-fiving individuals with C - genotype. A higher degree of bilateral carotid stenosis is observed in C - patients than in C + patients (88 vs 52%). Therefore, C genotype is coupled with chronic inflammation, impaired immune efficiency, low zinc ion bioavailability and high MTmRNA. As such, C - genotype is a risk factor for the appearance of severe atherosclerosis. Thus, the polymorphism of IL-6, together with the analysis of zinc turnover and immune parameters, is of a great clinical relevance in order to genetically identify old Subjects at risk in developing severe atherosclerosis and, at the same time, to predict subjects predestined to Successful ageing. As a consequence, more convenient therapies may be prepared for a complete recovery. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.