Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and angiotensin-converting enzyme genes and carotid atherosclerosis in heavy drinkers.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms on carotid artery atherosclerosis in alcoholism.


METHODS
Polymorphism of both genes was identified by DNA analysis in 130 male alcohol-dependent patients. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured ultrasonographically.


RESULTS
Multivariate regression analysis showed that of all the known risk factors the greatest impact on carotid atherosclerosis in alcoholics was exerted by age, hypertension, LDL cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose levels. Subjects carrying the APO E epsilon4 allele were more liable to develop atherosclerotic changes in carotid arteries compared with subjects with the epsilon3/3 genotype, which showed statistical significance in patients under 50 years of age. No association was shown between ACE I/D polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
APO E polymorphism can increase the risk of carotid atherosclerosis development in an alcoholic subject. The association of the APO E epsilon4 allele with carotid atherosclerosis was significant in younger patients. Since the elevated carotid IMT is considered to be a good marker of increased risk of generalized atherosclerosis the consequences could involve both cardiac and cerebrovascular events.
Bednarska-Makaruk
Małgorzata
M
Department of Genetics, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland. makaruk@ipin.edu.pl
Rodo
Maria
M
Markuszewski
Cezary
C
Rozenfeld
Anna
A
Swiderska
Malgorzata
M
Habrat
Bogusław
B
Wehr
Hanna
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C488034:ACE protein, human; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A