ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) genotype and its association with the susceptibility of chronic periodontitis in Uighur patients of Xinjiang.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swabs of 41 subjects with severe chronic periodontitis (CP), 43 subjects with moderate CP, 49 subjects with mild CP and 92 ethnically matched healthy control individuals. Genotypes of IL-1RN intron 2 VNTR was analyzed by SSP-PCR method. Then compared the differences in distribution of each genotype.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant over-representation of IL-1RN intron 2 VNTR allele 2 was found in severe chronic periodontitis group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-1RN intron 2 VNTR allele 2 may be a risk indicator for the susceptibility of severe chronic periodontitis in Uighur patients of Xinjiang.</p>