Deletion/Deletion genotype of angiotensin-I converting enzyme gene is not associated with coronary artery disease in caucasians with type 2 diabetes

In this study we analyzed the contribution of genetic variability of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) gene to the predisposition for coronary artery disease (CAD) in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes. The I/D ACE gene polymorphism was tested in 366 Caucasians with type 2 diabetes: 148 cases with CAD and 218 subjects with no history of CAD. We failed to demonstrate that the ACE DD genotype was a risk factor for CAD in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9-4.7; p = 0.1). In conclusion, we provide evidence that the ACE deletion/deletion genotype is not a risk factor for CAD in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes.     

Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease

An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with myocardial infarction and other cardiac pathology. There is evidence for a role of the renin-angiotensin system in cell growth and in the repair of damaged arterial walls, so the ACE gene is postulated to be a candidate gene affecting the important clinical problem of coronary artery disease (CAD). In view of the clinical importance of the ACE as a major marker of cardiovascular diseases, we investigated the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene in Turkish CAD patients in comparison with control subjects to evaluate a possible association between CAD and the gene encoding ACE. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used to determine the ACE genotype in 58 subjects. The frequencies of ACE D and ACE I allele among the patients with CAD were 62.26% and 37.73 % and in the control subjects were 49.3% and 50.76%, respectively. The greater frequency of deletion allele (D) was in the CAD group than in the control subjects was significant (P < 0.01).     

Association between angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and hypertension in selected individuals of the Bangladeshi population

The genetic factors that contribute to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) are poorly understood. It is likely that multiple genes that act independently or synergistically contribute to the development of CAD and the outcome. Recently, an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the human angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a major component of the reninangiotensin system (RAS), was identified. The association of the ACE gene D allele with essential hypertension and CAD has been reported in the African-American, Chinese, and Japanese populations. However, other studies have failed to detect such an association. It has been suggested that these inconsistencies may be due to the difference in backgrounds of the population characteristics. In the present study, we investigated the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene in 103 subjects of both sexes, consisting of 59 normal controls and 44 patients with hypertension. The allele and genotype frequency were significantly different between the hypertensive and control groups (p < 0.01). Among the three ACE I/D variants, the DD genotype was associated with the highest value of the mean systolic blood pressure [SBP] and mean diastolic blood pressure [DBP] (p = < 0.05) in men, but not in women. In the overall population, the mean SBP and DBP was highest in DD subjects, intermediate in I/D subjects, and the least in II subjects     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene--risk factor for coronary artery disease in the Tuzla region population (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Angiotensin II is the major effector molecule of renin-angiotensin system; its production can be conveniently interrupted by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Typical plasma levels of ACE accompany the I/D polymorphism; however, a controversy exists as to whether the DD genotype of the ACE polymorphism affects the risk for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to what extent the ACE polymorphism is associated with CAD in different populations. We compared the I/D polymorphism in 212 CAD patients younger than 50 years with 165 healthy control individuals. They were all from the Tuzla region in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patients with CAD had a higher prevalence of the DD genotype (36.3%) than controls (25.6%). The odds ratio for the ACE DD genotype in CAD patients was 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.7; p < 0.05). We may conclude that the D/D genotype of the ACE gene polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for CAD in the Bosnian population.     

Myeloperoxidase gene-463G > A polymorphism and premature coronary artery disease

We investigated the association between myeloperoxidase gene -463G > A polymorphism and premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in two Chinese population samples: 229 patients and 230 controls. Genotypes were determined by ligase detection reaction-polymerase chain reaction sequencing and the grouping technique. We found lower frequencies of both the A/A genotype and the A allele in patients (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the risk of premature CAD in subjects carrying the AA genotype was reduced by 83% in relation to individuals carrying the G/G genotype (OR = 0.172, 95% CI: 0.057-0.526, p = 0.002). Our results indicate that -463G > A polymorphism of the myeloperoxidase gene is associated with premature CAD in Chinese individuals, suggesting that the AA genotype is a protective factor against premature CAD.     

Modification of the coronary artery disease risk associated with the presence of traditional risk factors by insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene

Cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity influence the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) functions including an increased synthesis of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). Thus in the present work we explore the interactions of the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and traditional risk factors. The study cohort included 341 subjects composed of 172 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD and 169 blood donors without a history of cardiovascular diseases. The I/D polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology. To determine the interactions between the ACE genotypes and traditional risk factors the epidemiologic approach was used (4 x 2 tables and the synergy measures). The frequency of the DD genotype was significantly higher in patients than in controls (33.7% versus 21.3%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% CI; 1.13-3.15, p = 0.010), but greater differences were found in males (35.7% versus 20.5%, OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.14-4.04, p = 0.010). We found a synergy of the DD genotype with smoking (SI = 1.88, SIM = 1.22), total cholesterol > or =5 mmol/l (SI = 2.12, SIM = 1.31) and elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level (> or =3 mmol/l) (SI = 1.78, SIM = 1.14). The presence of the D allele (DD + ID subjects) also increased the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with the presence of elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (SI = 1.69, SIM = 1.18, in both cases), elevated level (> or =1.7 mmol/l) of triacylglycerols (SI = 1.81, SIM = 1.18) and overweight/obesity (SI = 4.25, SIM = 2.36). In each case the estimated CAD risk was greater than that predicted by assuming the additivity of effects (the risk increased from 69% for the D allele - total cholesterol interaction to 325% for the D allele - overweight/obesity). The statistical significance was also confirmed by a multiplicative model of synergy. The DD genotype/D allele of the ACE gene increases the risk of CAD associated with the presence of traditional risk factors.     

Carrier-state of D allele in ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with coronary artery disease,in contrast to the C677-->T transition in the MTHFR gene

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays an important role in blood pressure regulation, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in homocysteine metabolism belong to a large group of polypeptides which may be potential risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). To assess whether polymorphisms of the genes encoding these peptides are associated with CAD in Silesian we conducted a study among 68 individuals suffering from CAD (including 52 cases after myocardial infarction), 51 subjects with positive family history of CAD and 111 controls. We analysed the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene using PCR amplification, and the C677-->T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene using PCR-RFLP analysis. We found that D allele frequency was significantly higher in CAD patients (61%) than in controls (43%) (P = 0.001, OR = 2.06). The D allele carriers (DD + ID genotypes) were more frequent in the CAD patients (85%) compared to control group (65%) (P = 0.003, OR = 3.14), whereas the familial CAD risk group shows the highest frequency of the ID genotype (57% vs 43% in controls). In contrast, the MTHFR polymorphism does not seem to be associated with the disease. Our data indicate that in Silesian CAD patients the disease is strongly associated with carrier-state of the ACE D allele, but not with the C677-->T transition in the MTHFR gene.     

Synergism between paraoxonase Arg 192 and the angiotensin converting enzyme D allele is associated with severity of coronary artery disease

We have previously shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene D allele is an independent risk factor for early onset coronary artery disease (CAD). Little is known about the concomitant presence of the ACE gene D allele and paraoxonase (PON1) codon 192 arginine (Arg) on the severity of CAD. Regarding the high rate of CAD among Iranians the aim of present study was to examine the hypothesis of synergistic effects between ACE-D and PON1-Arg alleles on predisposition and the severity of CAD in our population. The PON1 192 and ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP and PCR, respectively in 414 individuals undergoing their first coronary angiography. Patients were placed into one of two groups: CAD and control without CAD or diabetes. We mentioned the synergistic effects of both genes and not ACE gene alone is a risk factor for CAD. We found that PON1 Arg 192 and ACE D allele act synergistically to increase the risk of CAD (OR 1.3, P = 0.044). Our results showed a significant correlation between the possession of both PON1 192 Arg and the ACE D allele and the extent of CAD in CAD patients and CAD subjects without diabetes, represented by the increased frequency of three-vessel disease with OR 2.7, P = 0.046; χ² = 4, P = 0.046 and OR 2.4, P = 0.051; χ² = 3.8, P = 0.051, respectively. We found that PON1 Arg 192 and ACE D alleles act synergistically to increase the risk of CAD in CAD patients and CAD subjects without diabetes from west of Iran, who have high frequency of three-vessel disease. Our data suggest that PON1 192 Arg and the ACE D allele in combination with each other can be important independent risk factor for severity of CAD in patients carrying both PON1 192 Arg and the ACE D allele in a west population of Iran.     

ACE I/D polymorphism in Alzheimer’s disease

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported to show altered activity in patients with neurological diseases. The recent studies found that a 287 bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene may be associated with susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but the results have been heterogenous between studies in Europe. In the present study we examined for the first time the association of ACE I/D polymorphism along with APOE genotype in 70 sporadic AD and 126 control subjects in Slovak Caucasians (Central Europe). An increased risk for AD was observed in subjects with at least one APOE*E4 allele (OR=3.99, 95% CI=1.97–8.08). No significant differences for the genotype distribution or the allele frequency were revealed comparing controls and patients for ACE gene. Gene-gene interaction analysis showed increase of the risk to develop AD in subjects carrying both the ACE DD genotype and the APOE*E4 allele (OR=10.32, 95% C.I. 2.67–39.81).     

Angiotensinogen and angiotensin-I converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese

The homozygous deletion allele (DD) of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the T235 homozygote of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene have been reported to be correlated with an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). The importance of the DD genotype and T235 homozygote as genetic risk factors for CAD in Chinese remains uncertain. This study included 426 patients who underwent coronary angiography and 180 healthy subjects without clinical evidence of CAD. Coronary angiography identified 268 patients with CAD (CAD group) and 158 patients without CAD. The healthy subjects and patients without angiographic evidence of CAD constituted the control group. Three polymorphisms were studied: an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene and the T174 M and M235T polymorphisms of the AGT gene. No association was found between any of the three studied polymorphisms and the risk of CAD or MI in Chinese using univariate or multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the relative risks were 1.20 (95% confidence interval = 0.91–1.61, P = 0.20) for the DD genotype, 1.05 (95% CI = 0.82–1.35, P = 0.69) for the T174 homozygote, and 1.19 (95% CI = 0.91–1.55, P = 0.20) for the T235 homozygote. Similarly, no significant difference was found in the frequencies of the DD genotype and the T174 and T235 homozygotes between the control group, the CAD group, the non-MI group, and the MI group when analyzed according to sex, age, or degree of risk. Our data suggest that neither the DD genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism nor the T174 and T235 homozygotes of the AGT gene confer significant risk for CAD or MI in Chinese. Received: 18 December 1996 / Accepted: 27 February 1997     

飞行员中血管紧张素转换酶基因插入或缺失多态性研究

为了解飞行员血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因插入或缺失（I/D）多态性情况,探讨ACE基因多态性与飞行员耐力可能的关系,用聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增技术检测118例飞行员和96例健康对照者的ACE基因I/D多态性。 结果位于ACE基因内含子16的I/D多态性经PCR扩增后呈三种基因型：纯合子插入型（II）、纯合子缺失型（DD）和杂合子插入或缺失型（I/D）。飞行员组II基因型（44.07%）和I等位基因频率（0.65）显著高于健康对照组(分别为31.25%和0.52)。 结果表明ACE I基因有可能在飞行员的飞行耐力中起重要作用。 Abstract:In order to understand insertion/delation (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in pilots,and to explore the relationship between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and the perfomance of the pilots,the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the genotypes for an I/D polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene in 118 pilots and 96 healthy subjects as controls.The result showed that the I/D polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene was categorized into three genotypes: two deletion alleles (genotype DD),heterozygous alleles (genotype ID),and two insertion alleles (genotype II).The genotype II and I allele frequency were significantly higher in pilots (44.07% and 0.65) than that in healthy subjects (31.25% and 0.52).It is suggested that I gene of ACE may play a role in perfomance of the pilots.     

VEGF gene mRNA expression in patients with coronary artery disease

To assess the expression of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD). We also studied whether the functional VEGF -2,578C/A polymorphism may influence the level of VEGF mRNA expression in individuals undergoing coronary angiography because chest pain. We assessed 50 consecutive patients with angiographically confirmed CAD (CAD+). Also, 50 consecutive individuals with normal coronary studies were included in the study for comparison. VEGF mRNA expression was examined using quantitative real-time PCR and genotyping for VEGF -2,578C/A was performed using ARMS-PCR technique. VEGF mRNA expression was significantly decreased in CAD+ patients when compared to CAD- individuals (p = 0.01). The frequency of VEGF -2578 allele C and genotype CC was increased in CAD+ patients. In this regard, homozygosity for the CC genotype was more commonly observed in CAD+ (30 %) than in those without CAD disease (18 %). However, the difference was slightly out of the range of significance (p = 0.1). In addition, a trend for reduction in the expression of VEGF mRNA was observed when patients carrying the VEGF -2,578AA genotype were compared with those VEGF -2,578AC heterozygous or those homozygous for the VEGF -2,578CC genotype. VEGF gene expression is decreased in individuals with CAD+ disease. The VEGF -2,578C/A polymorphism may influences the expression of VEGF.     

Paraoxonase Arg 192 allele is an independent risk factor for three-vessel stenosis of coronary artery disease

The role of the paraoxonase (PON1) codon 192 polymorphism [glutamine (Q)/arginine (R)] in coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the PON1 gene polymorphism is an independent risk factor for severity of coronary artery disease in patients from west of Iran. The PON1-Arg-192 genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP in 414 individuals undergoing their first coronary angiography. Patients were placed into one of two groups: CAD and control without CAD or diabetes. The frequency of PON1-Arg-192 allele was significantly higher in the CAD (23.4 vs. 16%, P = 0.032) than in the control group and there was a higher risk of developing CAD (OR = 1.6, P = 0.02). In addition, this difference remained significant after adjustment for without history of diabetes (OR = 1.47, P = 0.048), presence of normolipidemia and absence of history of blood pressure (OR = 1.4, P = 0.05). This result indicated PON1-Arg-192 allele is a risk factor of CAD also when correcting for conventional risk factors. We found a significant association between the PON1-Arg-192 genotype (QR + RR) and the extent of CAD in CAD patients and CAD subjects without diabetes, represented by the increased frequency of three-vessel disease with OR = 1.49, P = 0.046; χ2 = 3.82, P = 0.048 and OR = 1.46, P = 0.05; χ2 = 3.48, P = 0.051, respectively. The CAD patients carrying PON1-Arg-192 genotype (QR + RR) had lower plasma HDL-C level (P = 0.019) and higher plasma LDL-C(P = 0.01) and TG(P = 0.05). Our results indicated that PON1-Arg-192 allele can be important independent risk factor of CAD in a west population of Iran, with carriers of PON1-Arg-192 having an increased frequency of three-vessel disease and also having a distinct plasma lipids profile. Larger collaborative studies are needed to confirm these results.     

Case–control association study of polymorphisms in the angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme genes and coronary artery disease and systemic artery hypertension in African-Brazilians and Caucasian-Brazilians

The rennin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is a critical pathway in regulating blood pressure and salt/water homeostasis, possessing an intimate relationship with the development of systemic artery hypertension (SAH). Once hypertension is considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), the RAAS is also related to this pathology. This investigation aimed to analyse if the frequencies of AGT M235T (rs699) and ACE I/D (rs4646994) polymorphisms are associated with CAD and SAH in African-Brazilians and Caucasian-Brazilians. In this study we analysed 714 subjects who underwent coronary angiography to detect obstructive lesions and CAD, as well as blood pressure measurement and SAH, grouped according to ethnicity: 266 African-Brazilians and 448 Caucasian-Brazilians. Among CAD and SAH cases and controls, the genotype and allele frequencies of ACE I/D polymorphism were similar in both ethnic groups. The AGT 235TT genotype and 235T allele frequencies were higher in SAH cases (32%, 54.7%) versus controls in Caucasian-Brazilians (19.8%, 46.4%; P= 0.038, P= 0.031, respectively). The AGT 235TT (OR = 1.8; P= 0.028) demonstrated to be an independent factor risk in a multivariate logistic regression increasing SAH risk in Caucasians but not in African-Brazilians. In summary, AGT M235T polymorphism was associated with SAH risk in Caucasian-Brazilians, and no association was detected with CAD. No association was also observed in ACE I/D polymorphism either in CAD or SAH in African-Brazilians and Caucasian-Brazilians.     

Effects of cholesterol ester transfer protein Taq1B gene polymorphism on serum lipoprotein levels in Turkish coronary artery disease patients

To evaluate the effect of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B gene polymorphism on serum lipid profile in Turkish coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, we investigated Taq1B gene polymorphism of CETP and serum lipid levels in 111 controls and in 173 CAD patients with myocardial infarction. There were no significant differences in the allele distribution at this polymorphic locus between the population sample and patients with coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction. To detect the association between the Taq1B RFLP and serum lipid levels, we determined the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the subjects studied and correlated the results to the Taq1B RFLP. Patients with Taq B1B1 genotypes had lower HDL-C levels than patients with B2B2 genotype (p = 0.003). Also in control subjects with Taq B1B1 genotype, lower HDL-C levels (p = 0.05) and higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.017) and body mass index (p = 0.05) were observed compared with control subjects with the B1B2 genotype. It was observed that in our population the distribution of CETP Taq1B genotypes is similar to other populations (except Greeks). The present study demonstrates that CETP Taq1B gene polymorphism may be responsible for low HDL cholesterol levels in patients with CAD and in healthy controls in Turkey.     

ACE、CYP11B2基因多态性与慢性心力衰竭患者醛固酮脱逸的关系

目的:研究CYP11B2-344C/T(醛固酮合成酶)及ACEI/D(血管紧张素转化酶)基因多态性与慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者实施ACEI治疗后出现醛固酮脱逸表现的关系。方法:回顾分析2008年10月至2012年10月我科收治的252例CHF患者,全部患者应用ACEI治疗3月,醛固酮在基线以上为醛固酮脱逸,依据此标准将患者分为研究组(脱逸组,n=86)与对照组(非脱逸组,n=166),依据PCR(聚合酶链反应)及RFLP(片段长度限制多态性)等方法分别检测两组CYP11B2及ACE基因型,比较两组基因型频率的分布。结果:252例患者中,共86例出现醛固酮脱逸,发生率为34.1%。全部受试患者CYP11B2基因型及ACE基因型频率与Weinberg-Hardy平衡均相符(P均0.05)。研究组ACE I/D三种基因型的组间分布与对照组相较,无统计学差异(P0.05);CYP11B2基因TT型的频率与对照组相较,呈明显统计学差异(P0.05),等位基因C/T频率的组间分布同对照组相较,亦呈明显差异(P0.05)。研究组ACEI/D的基因多态性及CYP11B2-344C/T的多态性中,基因型联合组间分布与对照组相较,无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:ACE基因多态性与CHF患者ACEI治疗后出现醛固酮脱逸无关,CYP11B2基因T等位基因及TT基因型多态性可能是CHF患者ACEI治疗后发生醛固酮脱逸的高危因素。醛固酮脱逸时,ACE、CYP11B2基因不具有协同效果。     

Tetra primer ARMS-PCR relates folate/homocysteine pathway genes and ACE gene polymorphism with coronary artery disease

Cardiovascular disorders and coronary artery disease (CAD) are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality in heart patients. As genes of the folate/homocysteine pathway have been linked with the vascular disease, we investigated association of these gene polymorphisms with CAD/myocardial infarction (MI) using the novel approach of tetraprimer ARMS-PCR. A total of 230 participants (129 MI cases, 101 normal subjects) were recruited. We genotyped rs1801133 and rs1801131 SNPs in 5'10' methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), rs1805087 SNP in 5' methyltetrahydrofolate homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), rs662 SNP in paroxanse1 (PON1), and rs5742905 polymorphism in cystathionine beta synthase (CBS). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism was detected through conventional PCR. Covariates included blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol, and creatinine concentrations. Our results showed allele frequencies at rs1801133, rs1801131, rs1805087 and the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism varied between cases and controls. Logistic regression, after adjusting for covariates, demonstrated significant associations of rs1801133 and rs1805087 with CAD in the additive, dominant, and genotype model. In contrast, ACE I/D polymorphism was significantly related with CAD where recessive model was applied. Gene-gene interaction against the disease status revealed two polymorphism groups: rs1801133, rs662, and rs1805087; and rs1801131, rs662, and ACE I/D. Only the latter interaction maintained significance after adjusted for covariates. Our study concludes that folate pathway variants exert contributory influence on susceptibility to CAD. We further suggest that tetraprimer ARMS-PCR successfully resolves the genotypes in selected samples and might prove to be a superior technique compared to the conventional approach.     

No association between the angiotensin-converting-enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and the occurrence of macroangiopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Previous studies have reported an association between the ACE-I/D-polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, ACE inhibitor treatment, which could have compensated for negative effects of the D/D form of the ACE gene polymorphism, was not considered in the studies. We investigated the influence of the ACE-I/D polymorphism and the ACE inhibitor treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus on the occurrence of CHD by multiple-regression analysis. Distribution of the ACE gene I/D-polymorphism was investigated in 691 patients with diabetes mellitus prospectively characterised for the presence/absence of coronary heart disease. The distribution of DD; ID; II genotypes was 105 vs. 202 vs. 102 (25.7 % vs. 49.4 % vs. 24.9) in the CHD + group and 55 vs. 160 vs. 67 (19.5 % vs. 56.7 % vs. 23.8 %) in the CHD - group, respectively (p = 0.1). A multiple logistic regression analysis introducing the typical risk factors for CHD (age, gender, smoking, BMI > 26 kg/m 2, LDL elevation, HbA1c > 7 %) could not identify the ACE gene I/D-polymorphism as an independent risk factor for CHD (p = 0.87). Our data therefore suggest that the ACE gene I/D polymorphism is not associated with the occurrence of diabetic macroangiopathy in patients with or without treatment of ACE inhibitors.     

Joint effect of G1691A factor V point mutation and factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism on the risk of premature coronary artery disease

The study sought an association between the G1691A factor V point mutation and factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism and premature coronary artery disease (CAD), and the interactive effect on CAD risk between the G1691A factor V point mutation and factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism as well as between tested polymorphisms and traditional risk factors. 167 patients with CAD younger than 55 years were compared with 132 healthy subjects. The frequency of factor V point mutation was 7.8 % among Slovene patients with premature CAD, and 4.5 % among controls. No association was found between either the factor V point mutation (AG genotype) or M1M1 genotype of factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism and the risk of CAD in Slovenia using univariate analysis (factor V point mutation: OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.7-4.9; p = 0.25; factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism: OR = 1, 95 % CI = 0.6-1.7; p = 0.9). However, a joint effect on the risk of CAD was found between factor V point mutation (AG genotype) and M1M1 genotype (OR = 3.6, 95 % CI = 1-12.9; p = 0.03). Additionally, an interactive effect on CAD risk was found between AG genotype and metabolic risk factors (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.1-13.6; p = 0.03). In conclusion, we provide evidence for a joint effect on CAD risk between G1691A factor V point mutation and factor VII Arg/Gln(353) gene polymorphism as well as between factor V point mutation and metabolic risk factors.     

Association of polymorphisms in MCP-1, CCR2, and CCR5 genes with the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 156 histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer patients and 152 healthy subjects. Individuals with AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 V64I gene polymorphism had a higher risk for prostate cancer as compared with those with GG genotype (p=0.010 and p=0.028, respectively). CCR5 Δ32/wt genotype and CCR5 Δ32 allele were also found to be involved in the susceptibility to prostate cancer (p=0.028 and p=0.030, respectively). However, there was no significant association between MCP-1-2518 A/G gene polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. Prostate cancer patients carrying AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 V64I had significantly increased risk for high stage disease (p=0.002 and p=0.039, respectively) and metastasis (p=0.004 and p=0.022, respectively). The CCR2 A allele (64I allele) was significantly associated with high T stage (p=0.001) and metastasis (p=0.005) as compared with CCR2 G allele (64V allele). Our data indicate that gene polymorphism of CCR2 V64I may influence the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer and CCR5 Δ32 allele may also be an important risk factor for prostate cancer in Turkish men population.