Association of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein Taq1 B2B2 genotype with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and lower risk of coronary artery disease in a Tunisian population.
BACKGROUND
The role of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in the development of atherosclerosis is undergoing debate.


OBJECTIVE
In this prospective study, we sought to explore the role of the CETP Taq1B variant in coronary artery disease risk, and its association with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from 316 patients undergoing coronary angiography. The Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured by enzymatic and nephelometric assays.


RESULTS
In our study population, the B2 allele frequency was 0.29. B2 allele carriers had a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration than those with the B1B1 genotype (1.041+/-0.294 versus 0.995+/-0.277; p=0.039). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, the odds ratio (OR) for significant stenosis associated with the B2 allele was 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.97; p=0.039), suggesting that the B2 allele is associated with an 18% lower risk of significant stenosis. This protective effect seemed to be more significant in male nonsmokers (38% lower risk; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29-0.92; p=0.029). No significant protective effects were observed in women or male smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the B2 allele is associated with higher concentrations of HDL-C, which confer a protective effect with regard to coronary atherosclerosis. This effect seems to be more significant in men than in women and in nonsmokers than in smokers.
Rejeb
Jihène
J
Biochemistry Department, UR MSP28/04, Sahloul University Hospital, 4054 Sousse, Tunisia.
Omezzine
Asma
A
Rebhi
Lamia
L
Naffeti
Ilyes
I
Kchok
Kaouther
K
Belkahla
Radhia
R
Bel Hadjmbarek
Ibtihel
I
Ben Rejeb
Nabila
N
Nabli
Naoufel
N
Boujelbene
Amira
A
Ben Abdelaziz
Ahmed
A
Boughzala
Essia
E
Bouslama
Ali
A
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL