title: Genetic variants within telomere-associated genes, leukocyte telomere length and the risk of acute coronary syndrome in Czech women.
abstract: The association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been published in many reports, although almost exclusively in men. In our study we analysed the association between LTL and five selected variants within three candidate genes (TERC rs12696304; TERF2IP rs3784929 and rs8053257; UCP2 rs659366 and rs622064), which are not only involved in telomere-length maintenance but also potentially associated with higher risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Czech women (505 cases and 642 controls). We detected significantly shorter LTL in women with ACS (P<0.001), but the difference disappeared after multiple adjustments. We did not find any significant associations between analysed variants and LTL, except for rs622064 within the UCP2 gene, in which case AA homozygotes had a higher LTL (P<0.04). Genotype frequencies of the analysed SNPs did not differ between controls and women with ACS. Variants within UCP2 (rs622064; CC vs. A allele carriers OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.21-2.15, P<0.002) and within TERF2IP (rs8053257; A allele carriers vs. GG, OR=1.78; 95% CI: 1.07-3.18, P<0.03) were associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Analysed polymorphisms were not major determinants of telomere length or ACS risk in Czech females.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: dadl@ikem.cz.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dlouha
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pitha
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mesanyova
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jolana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mrazkova
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fellnerova
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stanek
authors.affiliation: Statistical Unit, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lanska
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis Research, Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jaroslav A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubacek
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D018153:Czech Republic; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Leukocyte telomere length; Polymorphism; Risk factors; Women