ABSTRACT
The pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], is a pathogenic element for a number of disorders. Previous studies have reported that the -1031 T/C and -238 G/A polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene are important factors in reproductive-related disorders. One of the most common gynecological diseases of women during the reproductive years is endometriosis. This study aims to assess an association between the -1031 T/C, -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms of the TNF-a gene promoter region to endometriosis. In this case-control study, we enrolled 65 endometriosis patients and 65 matched healthy control women by simple sampling. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] analysis was used to analyze -1031 T/C, -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms in the TNF-alpha gene promoter region. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We found a strong association between the -1031 T/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene with endometriosis [P=0.001]. There were no significant associations between the -238 G/A [P=0.243] and -308 G/A [P=l] polymorphisms with endometriosis and again endometriosis stages have no association with these polymorphisms. The -1031 T/C polymorphism and CC genotype can be used as a relevant marker to identify women at risk of developing endometriosis