Our aim was to investigate the correlations of the interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis.
The IL-1ra VNTR polymorphism, therefore, is an attractive candidate gene for osteoporosis susceptibility as well as hormone responsiveness after estrogen replacement.
We analyzed the genetic susceptibility of several polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6 and TNF-alpha genes in lumbar spine and hip bone mass in a sample of post-menopausal Caucasian Mediterranean women with osteoporosis.
Oestrogen receptor-alpha gene, vitamin D receptor gene and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene are all attractive candidates for osteoporosis susceptibility.
The IL1RN*2 phenotype is associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, lupus erythematosus, vulvar vestibulitis, and possibly with osteoporosis and coronary artery disease.