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Association between Interleukin-18 promoter polymorphisms and risk of ischemic stroke: A case-control study
Abstract
its incidence. Aim of the study was to determine the relation between interleukin-18 (IL-18) (-607 C/A) and (-137 G/C) polymorphisms and the risk of IS in Egyptian patients. In parallel, to analyze these polymorphisms as risk factors for large-vessel versus small-vessel diseases.
Patients and methods: A total of 120 subjects (60 IS patients and 60 healthy controls) were recruited to the study. Genotypic analysis of IL-18 promoter polymorphisms were performed using sequencespecific primers- polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method.
Results: For IL-18 (-607 C/A) polymorphism, a significant higher risk of IS was related to the AA genotype (odd ratio (OR) = 5.38, P = 0.004,) and A allele (OR = 2.07, P = 0.006), than in controls. Whereas, for IL-18
(137 G/C) polymorphism, a significant lower risk of IS was related to the GC genotype (OR = 0.17, P < 0.001) and C allele (OR = 0.37, P < 0.001) than in controls. Moreover, both polymorphisms did not exhibit any significant differences between large vessel (LV) and small vessel (SV) disease of IS (P > 0.05). In addition, the haplotype analysis showed non-significant differences between IS patients and controls (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study concludes that IL-18 607AA genotype and A allele may be risk factors to IS, whereas IL-18 137 GC genotype and C allele may be protective factors against IS in Egyptian population.