Polymorphisms Of The Interleukin-1 Gene Complex May Influence Alcohol Dependence
Monday, October 12, 2009 - 23:07
in Biology & Nature
Cytokines are small proteins secreted by cells that serve as molecular messengers between cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines -- which function in the immune system -- may be involved in alcohol dependence. A study of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene complex (IL-1) and one of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha has found that IL-1 may directly contribute to AD among Spanish Caucasian males.