OBJECTIVE

Interleukin-1beta plays an important role in inflammation and gastric physiology. Polymorphisms of the IL1B gene have been associated with gastric atrophy and increased cancer risk, especially in Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between IL1B and IL1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms and the risk of multifocal atrophic gastritis in African Americans and Caucasians.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was extracted from gastric biopsies of 269 adult outpatients (172 African Americans and 97 Caucasians) undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Histological diagnosis was evaluated according to the updated Sydney System and H. pylori status was assessed by Steiner silver stain. Polymorphisms of the IL1B gene (-511, -31, and +3954) and the IL1 receptor antagonist were investigated by PCR-RFLP. Logistic regression models were used to identify variables associated with multifocal atrophic gastritis in terms of odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Considering subjects with normal histology and nonatrophic gastritis as controls, a significant association was found between IL1B+3954T carrier and multiatrophic gastritis (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.28, 3.88). Analyses stratified by ethnic group demonstrated similar associations in both African Americans (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.14, 4.37) and Caucasians (OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.74, 5.65). A positive but not significant association was found between the allele 2 of the IL1RN and the presence of multifocal atrophic gastritis. The remaining proinflammatory polymorphisms were not associated with this precancerous lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the presence of IL1B+3954T allele is a risk marker for multifocal atrophic gastritis in the population studied.