FIGURE 1. Plasma and peritoneal interleukin-6 concentrations according to −174 promoter genotype and severity of appendicitis. In patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, plasma (1A) IL-6 concentrations were similar in GG-homozygotes and C-allele carriers (32.2 ± 6.0 pg/mL vs. 20.5 ± 4.1 pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.11). Peritoneal fluid aspirate (1B) IL-6 levels were higher in GG-homozygotes than C-allele carriers (18,400 ± 3500 pg/mL vs. 9000 ± 1900 pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.02). In patients with complicated disease, plasma (1C) IL-6 concentrations were higher in GG-homozygotes than in C-allele carriers (89.3 ± 21.4 pg/mL vs. 23.7 ± 1.7 pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.005). Peritoneal fluid aspirate IL-6 concentrations (1D) were also higher in GG-homozygotes than in C-allele carriers (24,000 ± 3000 pg/mL vs. 13, 000 ± 3200 pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.02). All statistical comparisons were by ANOVA or Student t test.