A functional myeloperoxidase polymorphic variant is associated with coronary artery disease in French-Canadians.
BACKGROUND
One of the enzymes involved in the production of free radicals in atherosclerotic plaques is myeloperoxidase (MPO). There is a functional G/A polymorphism 463 bp upstream of the transcription start site of the enzyme with the G allele associated with a higher level of MPO expression than the A allele. Considering the potential role of MPO in the process of atherosclerosis, studying the relationship between this polymorphism and the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) seems reasonable.


METHODS
We performed a case-control study. The case group consisted of 229 patients who had angiographically proved atherosclerotic plaques in their coronary arteries. The control group consisted of 217 individuals who did not have a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease.


RESULTS
We found that allele A of the MPO gene was less frequent in cases with CAD. In a recessive model patients with the AA genotype had a decreased risk of CAD (odds ratio 0.138, 95% confidence interval 0.040-0.474). In a dominant model a significant protective role for AA or AG versus GG was also detected (odds ratio 0.639, 95% confidence interval 0.436-0.937).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the -463 G/A polymorphism of the MPO gene influences the risk of CAD. This effect may be mediated by the effect of this polymorphism on the transcription level of the MPO gene.
Nikpoor
B
B
Center for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, and the Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Turecki
G
G
Fournier
C
C
Théroux
P
P
Rouleau
G A
GA
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D009195:Peroxidase