RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences of IL-4, IFN-gamma gene promoter methylation of allergic rhinitis patients between Uygur and Han people of Xinjiang. METHOD: Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) detected IL-4, IFN-gamma gene methylation of each of 50 patients with allergic rhinitis in Uygur and Han. RESULT: Complete IL-4 gene promoter methylation rate was 44% (22/50) and 48% (24/50) in Uygur and Han AR patients, un-methylation was 26% (13/50) and 22% (11/50), coexistence rate of methylation and un-methylation was 30% (15/50) and 30% (15/50). Complete IFN-gamma gene promoter methylation rate was 12% (6/50) and 16% (8/50) in Uygur and Han AR patients, un-methylation was 8% (4/50) and 10% (5/50), coexistence rate of methylation and unmethylated was 80% (40/50) and 74% (37/50). Distribution of IL-4 gene methylation between Han and Uygur AR patients had no statistically significant (P > 0.05). Distribution of IFN-gamma gene methylation between Han and Uygur AR patients had no statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no difference of IL-4, IFN-gamma gene methylation in patients between the Han and Uygur.