Introduction: Previous studies have identified diabetes as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. This study determined the correlation between the IL-6 gene − 572 G/C polymorphism and the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease in patients with diabetes.
Methods: One hundred four patients with diabetes who were admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively enrolled in the current study. These patients were divided into a diabetes only group (group A, 27 patients) and a diabetes complicated by coronary heart disease group (group B, 77 patients). Seventy patients in the latter group were further divided into low, medium, and high Syntax score groups based on coronary angiography results. A correlation analysis between IL-6, blood lipids, and the IL-6 − 572 G/C gene levels was performed.
Results: The serum IL-6 level in patients with the IL-6-572G/C-GG genotype was higher than patients with the GC and CC genotypes. In patients with diabetes, the presence of the IL-6-572G/C-GG and GC genotypes was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Patients with the IL-6-572G/C-GG genotype and diabetes were shown to have more severe coronary artery lesions compared to patients with the CC genotype. Moreover, the G allele of the IL-6-572G/C gene was linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease and more severe coronary artery lesions in patients with diabetes compared to the C allele.
Conclusion: The IL-6-572G/C gene polymorphism is associated with the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease in patients with diabetes.
Keywords: IL-6, diabetes, coronary heart disease, gene polymorphism, coronary artery lesions