Does Apolipoprotein E genotype affect cardiovascular risk in subjects with acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone after epiphyseal closure at puberty. Usually, subjects with acromegaly exhibit a 2- to 3-fold higher mortality rate from diseases that are associated with cardiovascular complications when compared to the normal population. In this study, we therefore aimed to evaluate whether a well-established cardiovascular risk factor, the Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) genotype, contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular complications in subjects with acromegaly. A total of 102 unrelated acromegaly subjects were prospectively included into this case-control association study and constituted our study group. The study group was comparable by age and gender with 200 unrelated healthy subjects constituting our control group. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood leukocytes of all subjects and Apo E genotype (codon 112/158) was assessed by melting temperature analyses after using a real-time PCR protocol. The Apolipoprotein E4 allele was found at a significantly higher frequency in the study group when compared with the control group (P = 0.032). Subjects with the E2 allele, on the other hand, had significantly increased values in body mass index (P = 0.004), waist circumference (P = 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.001), and left-side carotid intima media thickness (P = 0.025). The Apolipoprotein E2 genotype might contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular complications in subjects with acromegaly since it is concurrently present with other cardiovascular risk factors such as the left-side carotid intima media thickness and CRP.
Department of Medical Biology, Ege University Medical School, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. vildanbcetintas@gmail.com
Vildan
V
Bozok Cetintas
Ayhan
A
Zengi
Asli
A
Tetik
Muammer
M
Karadeniz
Faruk
F
Ergonen
Ali Sahin
AS
Kucukaslan
Sadik
S
Tamsel
Buket
B
Kosova
Serap Baydur
SB
Sahin
Fusun
F
Saygılı
Zuhal
Z
Eroglu
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D002097:C-Reactive Protein