Inflammation has been involved in the development of atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and obesity. Interleukin 20 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine encoded by a polymorphic gene located in chromosome 1. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of two IL-20 polymorphisms (rs1400986 and rs1518108) with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA), cardiovascular risk factors and IL-20 levels in a cohort of Mexican individuals. The polymorphisms were determined in 274 individuals with SA and 672 controls. Under different models, rs1400986 (OR = 0.51, Pcodominant1 = 0.0001; OR = 0.36, Pcodominant2 = 0.014; OR = 0.49, Pdominant = 0.0001 and OR = 0.55, Padditive = 0.0001) and rs1518108 (OR = 0.62, Pcodominant2 = 0.048 and OR = 0.79, Padditive = 0.048) were associated with a lower risk of SA. These polymorphisms were associated with cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with SA and controls. Controls with the rs1400986 TT genotype presented high levels of IL-20 (p = 0.031). In individuals with the rs1400986 CC genotype, we observed a negative correlation between IL-20 levels and total abdominal tissue (TAT), visceral abdominal tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal tissue (SAT). Our results indicate that the IL-20 rs1400986 and rs1518108 polymorphisms were associated with decreased risk of developing SA and with some cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with SA and healthy controls. Negative correlation between BMI and VAT/SAT ratio in individuals with rs1400986 CC genotype and among IL-20 levels and TAT, VAT and SAT was observed.
Keywords: cardiovascular risk factors; genetic association; inflammation; interleukin 20; polymorphisms; subclinical atherosclerosis.