Effectiveness of statins in the reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction is modified by the GNB3 C825T variant.
BACKGROUND
The GNB3 C825T polymorphism has been shown to affect lipid parameters, atherosclerosis progression, and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, we assessed whether the effectiveness of statins in reducing the risk of MI was modified by the GNB3 C825T polymorphism.


METHODS
In a population-based registry of pharmacy records linked to hospital discharge records (PHARMO), we used a nested case-control design. We selected patients hospitalized for MI as cases if they used antihypertensive drugs and had a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia before their first MI. Controls met the same eligibility criteria, but were not hospitalized for MI. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and synergy index with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), and to adjust for potential confounding factors.


RESULTS
We included 459 cases and 1805 controls. The risk of MI was significantly lower among participants exposed to statins compared with participants not exposed to statins (adjusted OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.29-0.47). The GNB3T allele was associated with a reduced risk of MI (adjusted OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60-0.92). Among homozygous wild-type (CC) individuals (n=1119), exposure to statins was associated with a lower risk of MI (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34-0.67). However, T allele carriers (CT and TT) who used statins had an even stronger reduced risk of MI (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.19-0.39). Overall, the interaction between exposure to statins and the GNB3 C825T polymorphism was significantly increased on the multiplicative scale (synergy index: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.06-2.65).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that T allele carriers of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism have less risk of MI and are more likely to benefit from statin therapy in a hypercholesterolemic population of antihypertensive drug users.
Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bas J M
BJ
Peters
Anke-Hilse
AH
Maitland-van der Zee
Bruno H Ch
BH
Stricker
Diane B M A
DB
van Wieren-de Wijer
Anthonius
A
de Boer
Abraham A
AA
Kroon
Peter W
PW
de Leeuw
Paul
P
Schiffers
Rob G J H
RG
Janssen
Cornelia M
CM
van Duijn
Olaf H
OH
Klungel
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D020125:Mutation, Missense / Q000502:physiology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; C454420:G-protein beta3 subunit; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins