The IL-6 G-174C polymorphism may be associated with ischaemic stroke in patients without a history of hypertension

Background Recent data suggest that inflammatory reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia. Aim To investigate whether certain inflammatory genetic polymorphisms are associated with the occurrence of ischaemic stroke. Methods We investigated the prevalence of six polymorphisms in cytokine genes (IL-6, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-10, and IL-1Ralpha) in a group of ischaemic stroke patients (n = 105) and in a control population (n = 389). We analysed the prevalence of these polymorphisms in different stroke subtypes and in relation to outcome six months post-stroke. Results There was no significant variation in cytokine gene polymorphism frequencies between control and stroke populations or for different stroke subtypes. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the prevalence of the IL-6 -174 CC genotype was significantly lower in stroke patients without a history of hypertension compared to controls. Conclusion The IL6 -174 CC genotype may be protective against stroke in those patients who have no history of hypertension. Further studies are required to verify these findings.