COX-2 gene variants in bipolar disorder-I.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder-I (BD-I) is a complex illness, and multiple genes and environmental factors determine its pathogenesis. Several studies have ascertained that BD-I and inflammation are linked through shared genetic polymorphisms and gene expression, as well as altered cytokine levels. COX-2 gene polymorphisms affecting COX-2 levels may be associated with BD-I by altering the inflammatory response. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated COX-2-765G→C and COX-2-1195A→G gene polymorphisms, which might be related for BD-I. The present analyses are based on 180 subjects with bipolar I disorder-I and 170 non-bipolar subjects. Genotyping of COX-2 gene polymorphisms (COX-2-765G→C, COX-2-1195A→G) were detected by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: We found a positive association of COX-2 gene variants for development of BD-I. There were statistically significant differences in COX-2-1195A→G genotypes and alleles between the controls and patients (p:0.000; p:0.000). The indivuals with COX-2-1195A→G AA genotype had seems to be associated for BD-I (p:0.000). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that there is a protective role of COX-2-1195A→G G+ genotype against BD-I (p:0.000). In addition, there was a weak linkage disequilibrium between COX-2-765G→C and COX-2-1195A→G polymorphisms. Our findings suggest that COX-2-1195A→G AA genotype may faciliate the development of BD-I.