Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney failure in adolescents is a serious condition that can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and require long-term hemodialysis. Immune dysregulation and persistent inflammation contribute to disease progression, and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in chronic inflammatory pathways. Objective: To assess whether IL-17A gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to chronic kidney failure and to explore their relationship with inflammatory and immunological markers among adolescent patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikrit Teaching Hospital, enrolling 100 adolescent patients with clinically diagnosed ESRD on hemodialysis and 100 age-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and IL-17A polymorphisms were genotyped using the ARMS-PCR technique. Serum inflammatory/immunological markers (C3, C4, NF-κB, COX-2, IL-6) were compared across genotypes, and hemodialysis duration was analyzed as a clinical correlate. Results: The GG genotype was more frequent among hemodialysis patients (42%) than controls (28%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.144). The AG genotype was less common in patients (34%) than in controls (58%) and was associated with a reduced likelihood of chronic kidney failure (p = 0.017). The AA genotype occurred in 24% of patients and 14% of controls (p = 0.207). Among patients, the GG genotype was associated with significantly higher levels of C3, C4, NF-κB, COX-2, and IL-6 compared with AG and AA genotypes (p = 0.001). The GG genotype also corresponded to the longest hemodialysis duration (9.77 ± 2.17 years), while AA was associated with the shortest duration (5.37 ± 1.17 years; p = 0.011). Conclusion: In adolescents, IL-17A polymorphisms may influence susceptibility to chronic kidney failure and are associated with inflammatory activity in those with ESRD. The GG genotype appears linked to heightened inflammatory responses and longer hemodialysis duration, whereas the AG genotype may have a protective association. Further adolescent-focused studies are recommended to confirm these findings and clarify clinical implications.