Investigation on the IL-18 -607A/C and -137C/G on the susceptibility of ischemic stroke

Objective: We conducted a case-control study with 322 cases and 322 controls to assess the role of the two common SNPs in the promoter of IL-18 gene. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length of polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was taken to genotype -607A/C and -137C/G in the promoter of the IL-18 gene. Results: By comparing cases and control subjects, we found that IS cases were more likely to have higher BMI, higher proportion of hypertension, and have higher proportion of smokers and drinkers. We found that IL-18 -607CC genotype (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.03-2.81) and C allele (OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.58) were significantly more frequent in IS patients when compared with AA genotype. We did not find significant association between IL-18 -607A/C gene polymorphism and BMI, hypertension, smoking and drinking on the risk of IS. Conclusion: Our study suggests that polymorphisms in IL-18 -607A/C can influence the development of IS, and this gene polymorphism is associated with risk of IS in a Chinese population.