However, fecal propionic acid contents were correlated negatively with serum levels of cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, TNF-α and IL-1β, and correlated positively with IL-10 and IL-6, indicating that dyslipidemia and pro-inflammatory conditions should be associated with reduced fecal propionic acid contents. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is metabolic syndrome.