Role of TLR4 gene polymorphisms in the colorectal cancer risk modulation in ethnic Kashmiri population - a case-control study

Background: Colorectal carcinogenesis has been found to be associated with the polymorphic status of Toll-like receptor 4 gene in various populations of the world

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the genetic association of TLR4 gene polymorphisms [Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile] with disease susceptibility and risk development in colorectal cancer [CRC] patients of Kashmir, India

Materials and methods: Genotype frequencies of TLR4 polymorphisms [Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile] were compared between 120 CRC patients and 200 healthy controls using PCRRFLP method

Results: We did not find any significant association between the TLR4 gene polymorphisms and the CRC cases [p>0.05]. However CT genotype [Thr399Ile] showed modest elevated risk of the development of CRC [OR = 1.78 95% CI [0.88-3.5]]. Also G allele [AG genotype] of TLR-4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with the male gender [p value = 0.006] and involvement of Nodes [p value = 0.01] whereas, T allele [CT genotype] of Thr399Ile polymorphism showed significant association with the smoking status [p value = 0.03]

Conclusion: Our results suggest that TLR4 gene polymorphism is not a key modulator of the risk of developing colorectal cancer in Kashmiri population

Study of serum interleukin (IL) 18 and IL-6 levels in relation with the clinical disease severity in chronic idiopathic urticaria patients of Kashmir (North India)

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is termed as idiopathic if there is an absence of any identifiable causes of mast cell and basophil degranulation. Various cytokines have been found to be involved in inflammatory processes associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria, including interleukin (IL) 18 and IL-6. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate any possible correlation of IL-18 and IL-6 cytokines with the clinical disease severity in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). METHODS: IL-18 and IL-6 levels of CIU patients (n = 62) and healthy controls (n = 27) were assessed by commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits following the manufacturer's protocols. RESULTS: Serum IL-18 concentration (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 62.95 ± 36.09 pg/mL) in CIU patients and in healthy controls (54.35 ± 18.45 pg/mL) showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between autologous serum skin test (ASST) positive and ASST negative patients with regard to the serum IL-18 levels either. Similarly, serum IL-6 concentration (0.82 ± 4.6 pg/mL) in CIU patients and in healthy controls (0.12 ± 1.7 pg/mL), showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05). Also, comparison between positive and ASST negative patients with regard to the serum IL-6 levels was statistically nonsignificant (p > 0.05). However, statistical significance was found both in IL-18 and IL-6 concentrations in certain grades with regard to the clinical disease severity of urticaria. CONCLUSION: There is no significant association as such found between IL-18 and IL-6 levels with CIU, however, these cytokines may help in predicting the clinical disease severity in CIU. Hence, these cytokines may indicate a potential role as a biomarker to assess the disease severity in CIU.