OBJECTIVE

Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. The genetics of osteoporosis impacts on the prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of the present study was to examine associations between cytokine gene polymorphisms (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6) and bone mineral density (BMD) values in postmenopausal women. The study included 226 postmenopausal women with a diagnosed BMD T-score lower than -2.5 SD (mean: -3.02+/-.053) and 224 postmenopausal women with a BMD T-score greater than -2.5 SD (mean: -1.33+/-0.51).

RESULTS

Among the women with T-scores below -2.5 SD, the BMD values were significantly lower in the carriers of the IL-6 GG genotype compared with those with the CC and GC genotypes (0.70+/-0.38 vs. 0.73+/-0.25 and 0.74+/-0.23 for the lumbar spine, 0.54+/-0.18 vs. 0.56+/-0.15 and 0.58+/-0.22 for the femoral neck). There were no statistically significant associations between the IL-1beta and IL-2 genotypes and BMD values in the group of women with T-scores below -2.5 SD.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest an association of the IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.