The relationship of Interleukin-6 -174 G>C gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic foot ulcers in Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: We aims investigate Turkish type 2 diabetic patients with/without diabetic foot ulcers and healthy group and examined the contribution of Interleukin (IL)-6 -174 G>C gene polymorphism to the development of diabetic foot ulcers.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The Interleukin (IL)-6 -174 G>C genotypes were determined prospectively in 50 patients with diabetic foot ulcers and 35 without diabetic foot ulcers and a control group of 119 healthy individuals. Genotyping of the Interleukin (IL)-6 -174 G>C gene polymorphisms for all individuals was performed by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS: The genotype IL6 distribution did differ between the control group (CC 13.3%, GC 66.7%, GG 20%) and type 2 diabetic patients (CC 2.4%, GC 47.1%, GG 50.6%) (P<0.001). The genotype IL6 distribution did not differ between type 2 diabetic patients group (CC 0%, GC 45.7%, GG 54.3%) and diabetic foot ulcers (CC 4%, GC 48%, 48%) (P>0.05). The frequency of the polymorphic G allele in between the control group and type 2 diabetic patients was no similar for the groups (58.4% and 74.1%, respectively) (p<0.05). The frequency of the polymorphic G allele in between the type 2 diabetic patients and diabetic foot ulcers was similar for the groups (77.1% and 72%, respectively) (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The gene polymorphism of Interleukin-6 -174 G>C and G allele are an risk factor for diabetes, but gene polymorphism of Interleukin-6 -174 G>C is not an independent risk factor for diabetic foot. Genetic factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot may also show any changes in different populations.