Association of the interleukin-10 − 592A/C, − 1082G/A and − 819T/C gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis

• We performed a meta-analysis on IL-10 gene polymorphisms and T2D susceptibility.
• 9 case–control studies were identified, including 2838 cases and 2773 controls.
• The IL-10 −1082G/A polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to T2D.
• No association was found for − 592A/C, − 819T/C polymorphisms and T2D susceptibility.

There is more evidence that interleukin-10 (IL-10), as a multifunctional regulatory cytokine of inflammatory responses, may have an important role in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, genetic association studies that evaluated the relationship between IL-10 gene variants and T2D have produced conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine whether the IL-10 gene polymorphisms (− 592A/C, − 1082G/A, − 819T/C) conferred susceptibility to T2D through a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted to examine all the eligible studies. A total of 9 studies involving 2838 T2D patients and 2773 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Overall, there was no significant association between IL-10 − 592A/C and T2D (A vs C: OR = 0.93, P = 0.625; AA + AC vs CC: OR = 0.89, P = 0.511; AA vs AC + CC: OR = 0.93, P = 0.821). We failed to find the association between the IL-10 − 1082G allele and T2D (OR = 1.04, P = 0.430), but the genotypes of the IL-10 − 1082G/A polymorphism conferred a risk for the development of T2D (GA vs AA: OR = 1.21, P = 0.027; GG + GA vs AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.048). Analysis of the − 819T/C polymorphism revealed no significant association with T2D (T vs C: OR = 1.04, P = 0.853; TT + TC vs CC: OR = 1.07, P = 0.834; TT vs TC + CC: OR = 1.08, P = 0.824). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggests association between the IL-10 − 1082G/A polymorphism and T2D. However, additional well-designed and larger scale primary studies are required to further evaluate the IL-10 gene polymorphisms and T2D.