Because cytokines and their genes could have a causative or modifying role in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), the+3953 (C→T) polymorphisms of IL-1β was studied in CAD [21]. This polymorphism was not associated with single-vessel or with multi-vessel coronary disease [21]. Our study is the first to report an association between MI in Russians and Tatars of Bashkortostan and the+3953 (C→T) polymorphism of the IL-1β gene in exon 5.

      The genotype frequencies in two Caucasian populations of healthy Russians and of Tatars from Bashkortostan and of other ethnic groups are presented in Table 3. The distribution of genotypes in our control groups was similar to that reported for healthy North American Caucasians (Table 4), but different from that for the Taiwanese and Japanese populations.

      We found no significant differences in the +3953 (C→T) IL-1β polymorphism distribution between Tatar patients with MI and their control group. In Russian patients with MI, the frequency of the E2 allele was higher (OR = 1.45) than in their control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The E2 allele was present more frequently in Russians with MI in the subgroups with a BMI of >25 but <30 (OR = 1.66), BMI of >30 (OR = 1.89), and LVH (OR = 2.08). Several studies have shown that the E2 allele and E2/E2 genotype of +3953 (C→T) IL-1β polymorphism are associated with increased production of IL-1β [14,15]. However, the association of the E2 allele with increased BMI (>25) and LVH in Russian patients with MI and the association of this allele with higher production of IL-1β is not fully understood, but could be explained by the fact that high level of IL-1β increases production of TNFα, which possibly induces metabolic changes with redistribution of adipose tissue and reduced insulin sensitivity [23].

      In summary, our study shows that the E2/E2 genotype and E2 allele of the +3953 (C→T) IL-1β gene polymorphism may be genetic risk factors for the development of MI in Russian patients with a BMI of >25 and LVH.

Table 3. Genotype frequencies (%) of IL-1b gene exon 5 polymorphism in various ethnic populations.

c² (p): Correspondence to the expected genotype frequencies.

^a NAC: North American Caucasian.

^a NAC: North American Caucasian.