Sex-specific association of RANTES gene −403 variant in Meniere’s disease

Several studies have shown the correlation between RANTES gene and inflammatory disorders; the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between RANTES promoter gene polymorphism and Meniere’s disease (MD) in an Iranian population. In this study patients with MD comprising definite MD ( N = 56) and probable MD ( N = 15) were selected according to diagnostic criteria of AAO-HNS. The control group ( N = 101) were healthy normal subjects who did not have a history of ear disease and vertigo. PCR–RFLP for RANTES −403G>A has been performed. We found a protective role for RANTES −403A allele in male group in our population. None of the male patients with MD were carrier of allele A which was significantly different from the presence of allele A in the male control group (AA+GA vs. GG: p = 0.0004, OR 0.05, 95 % CI 0.001–0.39). This difference was not significant in female group. There was no significant association between RANTES gene polymorphism and the level of hearing loss. our results showed a sex-specific association between RANTES gene polymorphism and MD but more studies are necessary to further assess this association.