Association of interleukin-6 gene promoter polymorphism with acne vulgaris and its severity.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (AV) is an inflammatory disorder with a possible genetic background. Different cytokines and mediators are involved in its pathogenesis. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the interleukin (IL)-6 572 polymorphism in patients with AV and its relation to patient sex and acne severity. METHODS: In total, 30 patients with acne and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The Global Acne Grading System was used to assess acne severity. The IL-6 572 gene promoter polymorphism was assessed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher association of IL-6 572 variants genotypes in patients with acne (93%) compared with the HC group (45%) (P < 0.001), with a higher incidence of the IL-6 572 CC polymorphism in patients with acne. A significant difference (P < 0.001) between C and G alleles in patients vs. HCs was detected. There were no significant associations between the IL-6 572 variant genotypes and either patient sex or AV severity. CONCLUSION: IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism might have a role in AV susceptibility but it is not related to AV severity.

Assessment of antisperm antibodies in a sample of Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with autoimmune phenomena and impaired semen parameters has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of HCV infection on the development of antisperm antibodies (ASAs) in HCV-positive males. The study was conducted on 30 HCV-infected individuals and 30 healthy control subjects. In both patients and control groups, liver enzymes and reproductive hormones were measured; computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was performed; HCV-RNA in serum was measured and IgG and IgA ASAs in semen were determined. Free testosterone, sperm concentration, progressive and total motility were significantly lower in HCV patients than in the control group, whereas ASAs of the IgG and IgA classes were significantly higher in HCV patients. However, correlations between viral load and the examined semen parameters and ASAs were nonsignificant. In conclusion, HCV may be responsible for the increased ASAs detected in HCV patients in the present study, possibly providing another plausible explanation for the decreased sperm motility reported in HCV patients. These findings could be of value in fertility management of HCV patients.