Analysis of Val158Met genotype polymorphisms in the COMT locus and correlation with IL-6 and IL-10 expression in fibromyalgia syndrome

We have determined Val158Met COMT polymorphism genotypes (HH or Val/Val, HL or Val/Met, LL or Met/Met) in 46 fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) patients and 40 controls. A correlation between these alleles and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression levels, determined by real-time RT-PCR, has been established. The accumulation of Met-allele carrying genotypes (both heterozygous and homozygous) observed in FS patients revealed an almost 4-fold increase of risk of developing FS. The Met(-) group of FM patients presented significantly increased IL6 expression levels when compared to all other subgroups. Significantly lower IL-10 expression levels were observed in FS patients, especially in those FS cases carrying the Met allele in comparison with FS Met(-) patients and both control groups. © 2006 Informa UK Ltd.