Interleukin-6 -174 G/C promoter polymorphism and effects of fenofibrate and simvastatin on inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Author(s): Potaczek DP, Undas A, Celinska-Lowenhoff M, Szczeklik A

Affiliation(s): Department of Medicine, Jagellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.

Publication date & source: 2006-01, Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis., 17(1):35-8.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate whether the interleukin-6 (IL-6) -174 G/C polymorphism might alter the effects of micronized fenofibrate or simvastatin therapy on inflammatory markers, we measured IL-6, C-reactive protein, CD40 ligand, adhesion molecules, P-selectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in hypercholesterolemic patients both before and after a 30-day treatment. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with the GC or CC genotypes (P=0.04). The presence of the C allele was associated with greater absolute reduction of IL-6 levels (P=0.04) following fenofibrate treatment. There was no significant association between the -174 G/C IL-6 polymorphism and the effects of simvastatin treatment. A relationship between the -174 G/C IL-6 polymorphism and the anti-inflammatory action of fenofibrate reported might be useful in the optimization of the treatment regimen in patients receiving this class of drugs.