title: CD36 gene is associated with thickness of atheromatous plaque and ankle-brachial index in patients with early coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CD36 is a multifunctional molecule engaged in the removal of oxidised LDL from plasma. It is unclear whether mutation of the CD36 gene protects against, or increases, the risk of hypercholesterolaemia, atherosclerosis and its complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To search for associations between the CD36 gene polymorphisms and radiological markers of atherosclerosis progress in Caucasian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed at a young age.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised 70 patients with early CAD. Doppler ultrasound of carotid and peripheral arteries was carried out and genomic DNA was isolated from each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found two single nucleotide substitutions in introns (IVS3-6 T/C - rs3173798 and IVS4-10 G/A - rs3211892) and two synonymous polymorphisms in exon 6 (G573A - rs5956 and A591T). The allele frequencies were: 10.7% for the IVS3-6C, 3.6% for the IVS4-10A, 3.6% for the 573A, and 2.1% for the 591T. The 573A allele of CD36 rs5956 polymorphism is associated with low thickness of atheromatous plaque. The 591T allele is associated with lower ankle-brachial index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 573A allele has a protective effect against atherosclerosis development and the 591T allele is a cardiovascular risk factor. Assessment of their functional implications requires further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. carmon12@gmail.com
authors.forename: Monika Ewa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rać
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Safranow
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rać
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kurzawski
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krzystolik
authors.forename: Dagmara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sagasz-Tysiewicz
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jakubowska
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Poncyljusz
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chlubek
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018955:CD36 Antigens