Connexin37 gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease in Taiwan

• Published in: International journal of cardiology 2001-12, Vol.81 (2), p.251-255
• Main Authors: Yeh, Hung-I, Chou, Yusan, Liu, Hsin-Fu, Chang, Shih-Chuan, Tsai, Cheng-Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Connexin37; Connexins - genetics; Coronary Angiography; Coronary artery disease; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Artery Disease - genetics; Coronary heart disease; Female; Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein; Gene; Gene Frequency - genetics; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; Sex Factors; Taiwan - epidemiology; Tropical medicine
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-5273(01)00574-5

Background: A recent study shows that a C1019T polymorphism of the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin37 contributes to the genesis of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid artery. However, whether such a polymorphism can be used as a prognostic marker in atherosclerotic disease of other arterial sites, such as coronary artery disease, is not known. Methods: We analyzed the allelic status in 177 subjects with coronary artery disease (age, 61±11 years; male/female, 120/57) and 102 controls (60±11 years; male/female, 70/32). Both groups were matched, before genotype analysis, for a variety of other traditional risk factors, including body mass index, smoking status, levels of blood pressure, sugar, creatinine, and lipid profiles, in addition to age and sex. Results: The T allele was less frequently seen in the control group, compared to the disease group (10.7 vs. 20.1%, TT+TC vs. CC, P