The association of IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6 gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objective: Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. The genetics of osteoporosis impacts on the prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease. Study design: The aim of the present study was to examine associations between cytokine gene polymorphisms (IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6) and bone mineral density (BMD) values in postmenopausal women. The study included 226 postmenopausal women with a diagnosed BMD T-score lower than -2.5 SD (mean: -3.02 +/-.053) and 224 postmenopausal women with a BMD T-score greater than -2.5 SD (mean: -1.33 +/- 0.51). Results: Among the women with T-scores below -2.5 SD, the BMD values were significantly lower in the carriers of the IL-6 GG genotype compared with those with the CC and GC genotypes (0.70 +/- 0.38 vs. 0.73 +/- 0.25 and 0.74 +/- 0.23 for the lumbar spine, 0.54 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.56 +/- 0.15 and 0.58 +/- 0.22 for the femoral neck). There were no statistically significant associations between the IL-1 beta and IL-2 genotypes and BMD values in the group of women with T-scores below -2.5 SD. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest an association of the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.