ABSTRACT
Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] are two major clinical presentations of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Many novel candidate genes have been found to be associated with increased risk for IBD. Recently IL-23 receptor gene is identified as an IBD associated gene in genome-wide studies. To ascertain whether rs7517847 and rs1004819 SNPs in the IL-23 receptor gene are associated with UC in our population in Kerman, south east of Iran. A total of 85 patients with UC and 100 healthy controls enrolled in our study. Endoscopic procedure was performed for all patients to determine their disease severity. IL-23 receptor genotyping at positions rs7517847 and rs1004819 was done by PCR-RFLP technique. The results of this study showed no association between the studied polymorphisms in the IL-23 receptor gene and UC in our population. However, we found a significant association between rs7517847 gene polymorphism in IL-23 receptor and two important clinical variables including blood in stool and bowel movements in UC patients. The rs7517847 gene polymorphism in IL-23R may be related to the presence of blood in stool and bowel movements in patients with UC. Further functional analysis with other known IL-23 receptor genotypes and/or other candidate genes is necessary to confirm any genetic association with UC in our population