A chymase gene variant is associated with atherosclerosis in venous coronary artery bypass grafts.
BACKGROUND
Angiotensin II is known to stimulate proliferation of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells and enhance the atherosclerotic process in native coronary arteries. The impact of genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on coronary bypass graft degeneration is unknown.


METHODS
We examined polymorphisms of four genes (AGTR1, CYP11B2, ACE, CMA) in 101 patients who had follow-up coronary angiography due to symptoms 88 +/- 52 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Bypass degeneration was determined with quantitative coronary angiography and an adjusted Gensini score.


RESULTS
Homozygosity for the G allele of the CMA-1905 polymorphism was associated with a higher degree of bypass degeneration (Bypass Gensini score CMA AA 21.4 +/- 39; AG 24.2 +/- 39.8; GG 27.8 +/- 42.3; NS-time adjusted Gensini bypass scores CMA AA 0.25 +/- 0.68; AG 0.57 +/- 1.82; GG 3.25 +/- 13.2; P = 0.005). No association could be detected for the AGTR1, CYP11B2 or ACE polymorphism.


CONCLUSIONS
The CMA allele G is a genetic risk factor for atherosclerosis in venous coronary artery bypass grafts. Its importance has to be shown in further studies. Other polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system do not seem to play a role in bypass degeneration.
Ortlepp
J R
JR
Medical Clinic I, University Hospital of Aachen, Germany. jort@pcserver.mk1.rwth-aachen.de
Janssens
U
U
Bleckmann
F
F
Lauscher
J
J
Merkelbach-Bruse
S
S
Hanrath
P
P
Hoffmann
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D053818:Chymases; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*
D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053818:Chymases