Abstract
Studies have demonstrated associations between cytokine,1 gene polymorphisms and ethnicity: In the present work the authors examine polymorphisms in the, genes encoding; interleakin-6 (IL-6). IL-10, interferon-gamma :(IFN gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta 1) using the polymerase:chain -reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method in 150 healthy unrelated Saudis, and results, compared with those from; other studied populations_ The genotype distributions;11 were Consistent With the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and the genotype frequencies observed among Saudis showed both similarity and difference to other populations. The most notable difference was in the distribution of IL-6, t ! where the Sandi population showed a lower CG genotype; frequency compared with White American (22% vs. 39.2%, " P=0.604); 2270:, zvs; 50%, F <0'.0001) and Brazilian : (22%, P< 0.0001) populations., The : study population also showed-a;higher frequency of the,IL-6 GG genotype,Compared with,White Americans(72% vs. 45.1%,:=-45:170/1 P < 0.0001); Italiaris (72% vs:41%, p<0.6001) and Brazilians (72% vs. 49:3%, (P < 0.0001). These results may have Significant clinical' relevance f the understanding of prevalent diseases in Saudi Arabie.