Interleukin 1 polymorphisms and intervertebral disc degeneration

• BACKGROUND: Enzymatic breakdown of the extracellular matrix, and possibly local inflammation, contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration. We investigated whether polymorphisms within the IL-1 gene locus are associated with lumbar disc degeneration and whether the effect of occupational physical load on disc degeneration is modified by the polymorphisms. METHODS: Genotypes were determined from 133 middle-aged men who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. The participants represented 3 occupations: 40 were machine drivers, 42 carpenters, and 51 office workers. We evaluated decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of degeneration in the L2/L3-L5/S1 discs. RESULTS: The odds ratio for disc bulges was 2.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-4.8) and 1.9 (1.0-3.7), in carriers of the IL-1alphaT or IL-1betaT alleles, respectively. The TT genotype of the IL-1alpha gene carried more than 3-fold risk of disc bulges as compared with the CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1 gene cluster polymorphisms could affect the risk of disc degeneration. The effect of physical workload seems to be modified by the IL-1 gene polymorphisms.

Keyword

Adult

Comparative Study

Gene Frequency

Genotype

Humans

Interleukin-1/*genetics

Intervertebral Disk/metabolism/*pathology

Lumbar Vertebrae/metabolism/pathology

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Male

Middle Aged

Occupations

Polymorphism; Genetic/*genetics

Polymorphism; Single Nucleotide/genetics

Questionnaires

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Research Support; U.S. Gov't; P.H.S.

Spinal Diseases/genetics/pathology

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)