Endothelin-converting enzyme-1b C-338A polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), the key enzyme responsible for endothelin-1 generation, has been linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, a genetic polymorphism (ECE-1b C-338A) located in ECE-1 gene promoter was identified. However, it is unclear whether this polymorphism is associated with the risk of CAD.


METHODS
We conducted a study with CAD patients and controls matched by age and sex to examine the prevalence of ECE-1b C-338A polymorphism in CAD.


RESULTS
The frequencies of ECE-1b-338CC, CA, and AA genotypes in cases (40.1%, 42.2%, and 17.7%) were significantly different from those of controls (50.6%, 40.5%, and 8.9%, chi2=9.989, P=0.007). Subjects with the variant genotypes (CA+ AA) had a 58% increased risk of CAD relative to CC carriers (adjusted OR=1.58, 95% CI=1.07-2.32). Furthermore, the adjusted OR of AA genotype for CAD was 2.33 (95% CI=1.25-4.35). In stratified analyses, the A allele was significantly associated with increased risk of CAD in female (adjusted OR=2.86, 95% CI=1.40-5.84) and subjects with age >or= 64 y (adjusted OR=2.96, 95% CI=1.73-5.08). Moreover, the frequency of patients with variant genotypes increased gradually from single- to triple-vessel disease although without statistical significance (P=0.069 for trend).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggested that ECE-1b-338C to A variant might be associated with increased risk of CAD in Chinese population.
Wang
Lian-Sheng
LS
Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China.
Tang
Na-Ping
NP
Zhu
Huai-Jun
HJ
Zhou
Bo
B
Yang
Li
L
Wang
Bin
B
D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D002681:China; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012306:Risk
D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C000606923:ECE1 protein, human; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes