title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha G-308A gene polymorphism and coronary heart disease susceptibility: an updated meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have reported apparently conflicting findings for the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) G-308A polymorphism on coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between this gene variant and CHD predisposition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched electronic databases (Medline, EMbase, Chinese BioMedical, BIOSIS, Global Health, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cochrane Library, HuGE Navigator, and British Nursing) for relevant studies published between 1947 and October, 2010. Summarized estimation of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 24 studies providing data for 9 921 cases and 7 944 controls. Pooled analysis based on ORs adjusted by CHD risk factors showed that carrying the TNF-α gene A variant conferred a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing CHD (AG+AA vs. GG, OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.23-1.77) in Caucasian population. No significant association between the gene polymorphism and CHD risk could be found in other ethnic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is probable that carrying the A variant is associated with CHD risk in Caucasians but not in Asians, Indians, or Africans. Further studies are merited to assess the association in greater details, especially in Asians, Indians and Africans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuang-Lun
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jing-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tu-Cheng
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha