A polymorphism in the resistin gene promoter is related to increased C-reactive protein levels in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Resistin, a novel adipocyte-derived peptide, has been linked to inflammatory process and coronary artery disease (CAD). The -420C>G polymorphism located in the resistin gene (RETN) promoter has recently been suggested to play a potential role in proinflammatory conditions (e.g., atherogenesis). However, whether this polymorphism has any effect on the inflammatory process in patients with stable CAD is unclear.


METHODS
The RETN -420C>G polymorphism was determined by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Plasma lipid profiles, glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in fasting state.


RESULTS
Patients with variant genotypes (CG+GG) had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP than CC carriers (adjusted p<0.001). In addition, the variant genotypes were observed to be independently associated with higher hs-CRP levels (>3 mg/L, p=0.004). However, no association was found between this polymorphism and plasma lipids or glucose levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the RETN -420C-to-G variant is associated with increased CRP levels in patients with stable CAD, suggesting that the RETN -420C>G polymorphism may be potentially involved in the inflammatory component of atherogenesis through an enhanced production of CRP.
Tang
Na-Ping
NP
Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, and Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
Wang
Lian-Sheng
LS
Yang
Li
L
Zhou
Bo
B
Gu
Hai-Juan
HJ
Sun
Qing-Min
QM
Cong
Ri-Hong
RH
Zhu
Huai-Jun
HJ
Wang
Bin
B
D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D052243:Resistin / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D052243:Resistin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein