title: Vascular Genetic Variants and Ischemic Stroke Susceptibility in Albanians from the Republic of Macedonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute first-ever ischemic stroke (FIS) is a heterogeneous, polygenic disorder. The contribution of vascular genetic variants as inherited causes of ischemic stroke has remained controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association of genetic variants in vascular factors with the occurrence of FIS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current research was performed in a group of 39 patients with FIS (study group) and 102 healthy volunteers (control group). We analyzed the prevalence of vascular genetic variants in following genes:factor V, prothrombin, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), factor XIII, plasminogen activator 1, endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein E, β-fibrinogen, human platelet antigen 1, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)andlymphotoxin alpha.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that heterozygousLTA 804C>AandFXIII V34L Leu/Leuwere significantly more frequent in patients with FIS than in control group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.017, respectively). The frequency ofFXIII V34L Val/Valwas significantly lower in patients with FIS than in control group (p = 0.020). Other frequencies of vascular gene variants in patients with FIS and in control group were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first comprehensive study to present data indicating that polymorphism of vascular genes in the prevalence of acute FIS exists in the Albanian population from the Republic of Macedonia. Variations in these genes have been detected in patients with acute FIS, suggesting that their combination might act in a susceptible or protective manner in this Albanian population.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, Clinical Hospital, Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Bajram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kamberi
authors.affiliation: School Medical Centre, "Nikolla Shtejn" Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Farije
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kamberi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunobiology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spiroski
keywords: Albanians; Republic of Macedonia; association; ischemic stroke; vascular genetic variations