Is IL-10 -819C/T gene polymorphism modulating the risk of gallbladder disease in North Indian population?

Background: Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm that arises in the background of gall stones and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to various inflammatory diseases and cancers. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IL-10 -819C/T polymorphism is associated with GBC susceptibility. Methods: The study subjects comprised 124 GBC patients, 135 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, and 200 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and IL-10 -819C/T gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Frequency distributions of IL-10 -819C/T genotypes were similar in GBC, gallstone patients, and healthy subjects. However, after stratification on the basis of sex, in male GBC patients, the TT genotype of IL-10 -819C/T polymorphism showed an approximately sevenfold risk (p value∈=∈0.038; odds ratio∈=∈6.58; 95% confidence interval∈=∈1.11-39.11) in the presence of gall stones when compared with gallstone patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that interplay of sex hormones and IL-10 -819C/T polymorphism may lead to the susceptibility of gallstone-mediated gallbladder carcinogenesis. © 2008 Humana Press Inc.