Background
The peak bone mass is recognized as an important determinant in the development of osteoporosis and genetic factors are the deciding determinants of peak bone mass. The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has important effects on osteoclast differentiation and function and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency. Recently, a G/C polymorphism in position -174 of the IL-6 gene promoter was found. We investigated associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and polymorphisms of the IL-6 gene in young men.
Methods
From 225 healthy volunteers aged 20~39 years, we identified the IL-6 genotypes (G/G, G/C, and C/C) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The PCR products were digested with NlaIII. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results
& Conclusion: All subjects were G/G homozygous variants and no C allelic variants were found. The results suggest that the -174 G/C polymorphism of IL-6 gene may be absent or very rare in Korean men and IL-6 polymorphism is unlikely to be a important determinant of peak bone mass in Korean men.
