Impacts of pro‐inflammatory cytokines variant on cardiometabolic profile and premature coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), a pivotal pro‐inflammatory cytokine, is closely linked to vascular wall thickening and atherosclerotic lesion. Since serum IL‐6 levels are largely determined by the genetic variant in IL‐6, this study was conducted to investigate whether the IL‐6 variant impacts cardiometabolic profile and the risk of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). PubMed, Cochrane Library, Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from May 13, 2022 to June 28, 2023. In total, 40 studies (26,543 individuals) were included for the analysis. The rs1800795 (a function variant in the IL‐6 gene) C allele was linked to higher levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), total cholesterol (TC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC), and a lower levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). However, no significant association was observed of rs1800795 with triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Interestingly, a significant association was detected between rs1800795 and PCAD. Subgroup analyses indicted that the impacts of rs1800795 on cardiometabolic risk factors were significant in Caucasians but stronger in obese patients. In contrast, the impact of rs1800795 on PCAD was significant in brown race population. In summary, rs1800795 had a slight but significant impact on cardiometabolic risk factors and PCAD. IL‐6 inhibition with ziltivekimab or canakinumab may benefit high‐risk populations (e.g. brown race population, Caucasians, obese patients, etc.) with rs1800795 to prevent PCAD.