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Purpose: Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is commonly used for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention to prevent stent thrombosis and ischemic events. However, some patients show high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) during clopidogrel therapy. Genetic factors such as loss-of-function variants of CYP2C19 are validated to increase the risk of HTPR. Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is reported to be associated with potency of platelet responsiveness and thrombosis. This study aimed to explore the association between FMO3 rs1736557 polymorphism and clopidogrel response. Methods: Five hundred twenty-two Chinese CAD patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy were recruited from Xiangya Hospital. After oral administration of 300 mg loading dose (LD) clopidogrel for 12–24 h or 75 mg daily maintenance dose (MD) clopidogrel for at least 5 days, the platelet reaction index (PRI) was determined by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-phosphorylation assay. FMO3 rs1736557, CYP2C19*2, and CYP2C19*3 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: Mean PRI value was significantly higher in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (PMs) and intermediate metabolizers (IMs) than the extensive metabolizers (EMs) (p < 0.001). In addition, FMO3 rs1736557 AA homozygotes showed significantly lower PRI as compared with carriers of the major rs1736557 G allele in the entire cohort and in the MD cohort (p = 0.011, p = 0.008, respectively). The risk of HTPR was decreased significantly in carriers of the rs1736557 A allele (AA vs GG: OR = 0.316, 95% CI: 0.137–0.726, p = 0.005; AA vs GA: OR = 0.249, 95% CI: 0.104–0.597, p = 0.001; AA vs GG+GA: OR = 0.294, 95% CI: 0.129–0.669, p = 0.002), and the association was observed mainly in patients carrying the CYP2C19 LOF allele and in those administered with MD. Conclusion: The FMO3 rs1736557 AA genotype was related to an increased the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel in Chinese CAD patients. Additional studies are required to verify this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard therapy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, a portion of patients suffer from clopidogrel resistance (CR) and consequently with recurrence of cardiovascular events. Genetic factors such as loss-of-function variants of CYP2C19 contribute a lot to CR. Recently, the N-6-adenine-specific DNA methyltransferase 1 (N6AMT1) rs2254638 polymorphism is reported to be associated with clopidogrel response. To validate the association between N6AMT1 rs2254638 polymorphism and clopidogrel response, 435 Chinese CAD patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel were recruited. N6AMT1 rs2254638 and CYP2C19 * 2/ * 3 polymorphisms were genotyped. Platelet reaction index (PRI) was measured by VASP-phosphorylation assay after treated with a 300 mg loading dose (LD) clopidogrel or 75 mg daily maintenance dose (MD) clopidogrel for at least 5 days. There was a significant difference in PRI between LD cohort and MD cohort. Carriers of CYP2C19 * 2 allele showed significantly increased PRI in the entire cohort and in respective of the MD and LD cohorts (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). However, carriers of CYP2C19 * 3 allele exhibited significantly higher PRI only in the entire cohort and LD cohort (p = 0.023, p = 0.023 respectively). PRI value was significantly higher in CYP2C19 PM genotyped patients as compared with those carrying the IM genotypes and EM genotype (p < 0.001). Besides, carriers of the rs2254638 C allele showed significantly higher PRI in entire cohort and in the LD cohort (p = 0.023 , p = 0.008, respectively). When the patients were grouped into clopidogrel resistance (CR) and non-clopidogrel resistance (non-CR) groups, CYP2C19 * 2 was associated with increased risk of CR in the entire cohort, the LD cohort and the MD cohort (p < 0.001 , p < 0.001, and p = 0.019, respectively). Carriers of the rs2254638 C allele also showed increased risk of CR in the entire cohort and the LD cohort (p = 0.024, and p = 0.028, respectively). N6AMT1 rs2254638 remained as a strong predictor for CR (TC vs. TT: OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.099–3.216, p = 0.021 ; CC vs. TT: OR = 1.930, 95% CI = 1.056-3.527, p = 0.032; TC + CC vs. TT: OR = 1.846, 95%CI = 1.126–3.026, p = 0.015) after adjustment for confounding factors. Our study confirmed the influence of CYP2C19 *2 and rs2254638 polymorphisms on clopidogrel resistance in Chinese CAD patients. Both CYP2C19 * 2 and N6AMT1 rs2254638 polymorphism may serve as independent biomarkers to predict CR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect ofPRKCHrs2230500 genetic polymorphism on efficacy of amlodipine and telmisartan for patients with hypertension. A total of 136 essential hypertension (EH) patients were treated with amlodipine (70 patients) or telmisartan (66 patients), respectively. Genetic polymorphism was genotyped by Sanger sequencing. Both baseline and post-treatment blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were measured to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphism on the antihypertensive response. No significant difference in the absolute decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP),systolic blood pressure (SBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was observed amongPRKCHrs2230500 genotypes after 4-week amlodipine or telmisartan therapy (p> 0.05). However, when compared with carriers or GG genotype, the antihypertensive effect ofPRKCHrs2230500 GA/AA carriers was superior in telmisartan treatment group.PRKCHrs2230500 gene polymorphism is significantly related to the efficiency in telmisartan therapy (p= 0.02). ThePRKCHrs2230500 may influence the antihypertensive efficacy of telmisartan in Chinese EH patients, and further studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Researches have revealed that the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene G894T polymorphism is associated with the risk of Myocardial infarction (MI), but the results remain conflicting. Objective and Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between eNOS G894T polymorphism and MI. Published studies from PubMed, Embase, CNKI and CBM databases were retrieved. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for the association between eNOS G894T polymorphism and MI and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the random- or fixed- effect model. Results: A total of 34 studies including 8229 cases and 12839 controls were identified for the meta-analysis. The eNOS G894T polymorphism was significantly associated with MI under a homozygous genetic model (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.08–1.84; P = 0.012), a recessive genetic model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.06–1.70; P = 0.014), a dominant genetic model (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.04–1.34; P = 0.009). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity (non-Asian and Asian), no significant association was observed between eNOS G894T polymorphism and MI risk among non-Asians (P>0.05), but a positive significant association was found among Asians (P<0.05). Conclusions: The eNOS G894T polymorphism is associated with increased MI risk in Asians. The results indicate that ethnicity plays important roles in the association between eNOS G894T polymorphism and MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis (PS; MIM#177900) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated skin disorder. Although the disease is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, immunologic and environmental factors, its complete etiology has not been fully understood. Here, we focused on the BSG (MIM#109480), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed ubiquitously in circulating immune cell populations. We observed that the expression level of BSG in PBMCs was elevated in psoriasis patients. To understand the underlying mechanism for this change, we genotyped the rs8259 T>A SNP located in the 3′UTR of the BSG gene from 668 psoriasis patients and 1,143 healthy controls. The rs8259 T allele was associated with significantly decreased psoriasis susceptibility (OR = 0.758, 95% CI 0.638-0.901, p = 0.002). Interestingly, the rs8259 polymorphism was located in a seed region for miR-492 binding. The miR-492 was able to bind to the BSG 3′UTR sequence bearing the rs8259 T allele as assayed by luciferase reporter gene assay. The substitution of T with A abolished miR-492 binding. BSG protein expression in PBMCs from patients carrying the rs8259 AA genotype was significantly higher than in those from patients carrying the rs8259 TT genotype. Our study suggests that miR-492 may physiologically suppress BSG expression and the BSG rs8259 polymorphism is associated with decreased psoriasis susceptibility through affecting miR-492 binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the impacts of erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of voriconazole and its association with CYP2C19 genotypes in healthy Chinese male subjects. Methods: A single-center, open, crossover clinical study with two treatment phases was carried out. Eighteen healthy male volunteers, including 6 CYP2C19 homozygous extensive metabolizers (EMs, *1/*1), 6 heterozygous EMs (HEMs, *1/*2 or *1/*3), and 6 CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (PMs, *2/*2 or *2/*3), were enrolled in this study. A single oral dose of 200 mg voriconazole was administrated to all subjects after 3-day pretreatment with either 500 mg erythromycin or placebo three times daily. Periods were separated by a washout period of 14 days. Serial venous blood samples were collected, and plasma concentrations of voriconazole were determined by HPLC. Results: C, AUC, and $$ {\hbox{AU}}{{\hbox{C}}_{0 - \infty }} $$ of voriconazole were increased significantly, while oral clearance of voriconazole was decreased significantly by erythromycin administration ( p < 0.001, respectively). Compared with individuals with CYP2C19 PM genotypes, individuals with CYP2C19 EM and HEM genotypes showed significantly decreased T, AUC, $$ {\hbox{AU}}{{\hbox{C}}_{0 - \infty }} $$, and increased oral clearance of voriconazole ( p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, significant increases in AUC and $$ {\hbox{AU}}{{\hbox{C}}_{0 - \infty }} $$ and decreases in oral clearance of voriconazole after erythromycin treatment were observed in CYP2C19 HEMs and PMs ( p < 0.05, respectively), but not in CYP2C19 EMs. Conclusion: Both CYP2C19 genotypes and CYP3A4 inhibitor erythromycin can influence the plasma concentration of voriconazole, and erythromycin increases plasma concentration of voriconazole in a CYP2C19 genotype-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) response in humans, and its association with mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) Glu504Lys (ALDH2*2) polymorphism. Background: In animal models, CGRP contributes to the cardiovascular effects of GTN. The enzyme principally responsible for GTN bioactivation is ALDH2. The common ALDH2*2 polymorphism is associated with a lack of GTN efficacy. Methods: In 18 ALDH2*2-genotyped Chinese volunteers, we observed the changes in plasma concentrations of CGRP after sublingual GTN administration and its correlation with GTN response, and assessed the expression of CGRP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) pre-treated with 10−5 mol/l GTN. Results: In contrast to carriers of the ALDH2*2 allele, ALDH2*1/*1 homozygotes showed a significantly higher extent of absolute changes in both systolic blood pressure (ΔSBP) and HR (ΔHR) at several time points after GTN administration. Plasma concentrations of CGRP were increased significantly 12 min after GTN administration, the percentage increase in plasma concentrations of CGRP correlated positively with both ΔSBP and ΔHR, and percentage increase in plasma concentrations of CGRP was significantly higher in ALDH2*1/*1 homozygotes. In addition, PBMCs from ALDH2*1/*1 homozygotes showed a higher-fold increase in both CGRP I and CGRP II mRNA after GTN stimulation, and the GTN-induced increase in CGRP mRNA expression in PBMCs from ALDH2*1/*1 homozygotes was inhibited by the ALDH2 inhibitor chloral hydrate. Conclusions: We found that CGRP is associated with the cardiovascular effect of GTN through an ALDH2-dependent pathway in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims To evaluate the effect of the CYP1A2 *1C and CYP1A2 *1F polymorphisms on the inducibility of CYP1A2 by omeprazole in healthy subjects. Methods Mutations of CYP2C19 and CYP1A2 were identified by PCR-RFLP. Omeprazole, 120 mg day-1 , was given to 12 extensive metabolizers (EM) with respect to CYP2C19 (six CYP1A2 *1F/CYP1A2 *1F and six CYP1A2 *1C/CYP1A2 *1F of CYP1A2 ) for 7 days. CYP1A2 activity was determined on three occasions, namely on day 1, day 9 and day 16 using the caffeine plasma index (the ratio of the concentrations of paraxanthine to caffeine), 6 h after oral administration of 200 mg caffeine. Results There was a significant difference (P = 0.002) between the caffeine ratios for CYP1A2 *1F/CYP1A2 *1F and CYP1A2 *1C/CYP1A2 *1F genotypes on day 9, but not on day 1 or day 16 (P > 0.05). The changes in the ratios from day 9 to day 1 (48% ± 20%vs 19% ± 20%) and from day 9 to day 16 (50% ± 31%vs 15% ± 22%) were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the CYP1A2 *1F/CYP1A2 *1F and CYP1A2 *1C/CYP1A2 *1F genotypes. Conclusion The CYP1A2 *1C and CYP1A2 *1F genetic polymorphisms influenced the induction of CYP1A2 activity in vivo by omeprazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The study was designed to investigate whether genetically determined CYP2C19 activity affects the metabolism of fluoxetine in healthy subjects. Methods A single oral dose of fluoxetine (40 mg) was administrated successively to 14 healthy young men with high (extensive metabolizers, n=8) and low (poor metabolizers, n = 6) CYP2C19 activity. Blood samples were collected for 5–7 half-lives and fluoxetine, and norfluoxetine were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Results Poor metabolizers (PMs) showed a mean 46% increase in fluoxetine peak plasma concentrations (Cmax, P < 0.001), 128% increase in area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC(0,∞), P < 0.001), 113% increase in terminal elimination half-life (t½) (P < 0.001), and 55% decrease in CLo (P < 0.001) compared with extensive metabolizers (EMs). Mean ± (s.d) norfluoxetine AUC(0,192 h) was significantly lower in PMs than that in EMs (1343 ± 277 vs 2935 ± 311, P < 0.001). Mean fluoxetine Cmax and AUC(0,∞) in wild-type homozygotes (CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*1) were significantly lower than that in PMs (22.4 ± 3.9 vs 36.7 ± 8.9, P < 0.001; 732 ± 42 vs 2152 ± 492, P < 0.001, respectively). Mean oral clearance in individuals with the wild type homozygous genotype was significantly higher than that in heterozygotes and that in PMs (54.7 ± 3.4 vs 36.0 ± 8.7, P < 0.01; 54.7 ± 3.4 vs 20.6 ± 6.2, P < 0.001, respectively). Mean norfluoxetine AUC(0,192 h) in PMs was significantly lower than that in wild type homozygotes (1343 ± 277 vs 3163 ± 121, P < 0.05) and that in heterozygotes (1343 ± 277 vs 2706 ± 273, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions The results indicated that CYP2C19 appears to play a major role in the metabolism of fluoxetine, and in particular its N-demethylation among Chinese healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A subfamily (UGT1A) enzymes can inactivate cytarabine (Ara-C) by glucuronidation, and thus serves as candidate genes for interindividual difference in Ara-C response. UGT1A1 is a major UGT1A isoform expressed in human liver.Methods: UGT1A1*6 and *28 polymorphisms resulting in reduced UGT1A1 activity were genotyped in 726 adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with Ara-C based regimens. Influences of both polymorphisms on chemosensitivity and disease prognosis of the patients were evaluated.Results: After one or two courses of Ara-C based induction chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was significantly higher in patients carrying the UGT1A1*6 (77.0%) or the UGT1A1*28 (76.4%) alleles as compared with corresponding wild-type homozygotes (66.9 and 68.5%, respectively). Carriers of the UGT1A1*6 or *28 alleles showed significantly decreased risk of non-CR (OR = 0.528, 95% CI 0.379-0.737, P = 1.7 × 10-4) and better overall survival (HR = 0.787, 95% CI 0.627-0.990, P = 0.040) as compared with homozygotes for both polymorphisms.Conclusion: Our results suggest that UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 are associated with improved clinical outcomes in Chinese AML patients treated with Ara-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytarabine arabinoside (Ara-C) has been the core of chemotherapy for adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ara-C undergoes a three-step phosphorylation into the active metabolite Ara-C triphosphosphate (ara-CTP). Several enzymes are involved directly or indirectly in either the formation or detoxification of ara-CTP.Methods: A total of 12 eQTL (expression Quantitative Trait Loci) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or tag SNPs in 7 genes including CMPK1, NME1, NME2, RRM1, RRM2, SAMHD1 and E2F1 were genotyped in 361 Chinese non-M3 AML patients by using the Sequenom Massarray system. Association of the SNPs with complete remission (CR) rate after Ara-C based induction therapy, relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.Results: Three SNPs were observed to be associated increased risk of chemoresistance indicated by CR rate (NME2 rs3744660, E2F1 rs3213150, and RRM2 rs1130609), among which two (rs3744660 and rs1130609) were eQTL. Combined genotypes based on E2F1 rs3213150 and RRM2 rs1130609 polymorphisms further increased the risk of non-CR. The SAMHD1 eQTL polymorphism rs6102991 showed decreased risk of non-CR marginally (P = 0.055). Three SNPs (NME1 rs3760468 and rs2302254, and NME2 rs3744660) were associated with worse RFS, and the RRM2 rs1130609 polymorphism was marginally associated with worse RFS (P = 0.085) and OS (P = 0.080). Three SNPs (NME1 rs3760468, NME2 rs3744660, and RRM1 rs183484) were associated with worse OS in AML patients.Conclusion: Data from our study demonstrated that SNPs in Ara-C and dNTP metabolic pathway predict chemosensitivity and prognosis of AML patients in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is a recommended treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reduce the rate of ischemic events and stent thrombosis. However, high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) during clopidogrel therapy for some patients may lead to outcome failure and occurrence of cardiovascular events. Amounts of studies have proved that genetic factors may contribute to HTPR. In our study, we explored the predictive value of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 genes indicated by exome sequencing with clopidogrel efficacy. Methods Two hundred and forty-one Han Chinese CAD patients (mean age: 61 ± 10 years) receiving dual antiplatelet therapy were recruited, among which 118 patients administered with 300 mg loading dose (LD) clopidogrel for 12–24 h and 123 subjects administered with 75 mg/day maintain dose (MD) clopidogrel for at least 5 days before discharge. The platelet reaction index (PRI) was determined to reflect clopidogrel response in the patients. Venous blood samples were drawn from all participants to extract genomic DNA. MassARRAY, Sanger sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used to determine the genotypes of 10 SNPs. Results Allelic tests showed significant differences in genotype distribution between HTPR and normal on-treatment platelet reactivity (NTPR) patients for 3 SNPs including CYP2C19 rs4244285 (CYP2C19*2) (co-dominant model: p = 0.003, dominant model: p = 0.004, recessive model: p = 0.012), CRISPLD1 rs12115090 (co-dominant model: p = 0.011, dominant model: p = 0.004), and LTA4H rs11108379 (dominant model: p = 0.041). After adjusting for covariates including clinical characteristics of patients, concomitant medications and complications, we confirmed that carriers of the CYP2C19*2 showed significantly increased risk of HTPR (*2/*2 vs *1/*1 : OR = 12.266, 95% CI: 1.336–112.592, p = 0.027; *1/*2 + *2/*2 vs *1/*1 : OR = 2.202, 95% CI: 1.083–4.480, p = 0.029). Contrarily, carriers of the CRISPLD1 rs12115090 C allele showed significantly reduced risk of HTPR (CC vs AA: OR = 0.242, 95% CI: 0.078–0.752, p = 0.014; CA + CC vs AA: OR = 0.457, 95% CI: 0.232–0.904, p = 0.024) in Chinese CAD patients. In addition, carriers of the CYP2C19*2 allele showed significantly increased PRI (*1/*2 vs *1/*1 : p = 0.008, 2/*2 vs 1/*1 : p < 0.001, *2/*2 vs 1/*2 : p = 0.011), while patients carrying the rs12115090 C allele showed significantly decreased PRI than the wild-type AA homozygotes (CA vs AA: p = 0.046, CA + CC vs AA: p = 0.023). Conclusion CYP2C19*2 reduced the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel and increased the risk of HTPR, while CRISPLD1 rs12115090 A>C polymorphism increased the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel. Genetic tests, especially for CYP2C19*2 are recommended in Han Chinese CAD patients before using of clopidogrel. Highlights • CYP2C19*2 is associated with HTPR and the PRI is significantly increased in the *2 A allele carriers. • The PRI is significantly decreased in the patients with CRISPLD1 rs12115090 C allele. • CRISPLD1 rs12115090 is associated with decreased risk of HTRP in Han Chinese CAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2) polymorphisms have been extensively studied to be associated with many cardiovascular diseases, with the exception of chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to determine whether the AGXT2 rs37369 (V140I) polymorphism is associated with risk for and prognosis of CHF in Chinese patients. Methods 1000 CHF patients and 1200 healthy controls were recruited and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the genotypes of rs37369 polymorphism. Tube formation assay and transwell migration assay were performed to assess the effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and to explore the significance of rs37369 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of CHF. 140 CHF patients underwent a median follow-up of 38.7 months by telephone. Results The rs37369 GG genotype was significantly over-represented in CHF patients compared to controls (18.9% vs 14.7%, p = 0.009) and was significantly associated with increased risk of CHF ( p = 0.030), especially in patients with hypertension ( p = 0.021). Besides, the rs37369 GG genotype marginally increased the risk for CHF in smokers. ADMA stimulated migration and inhibited tube formation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Overexpression of AGXT2 with pcAGXT2-rs37369-A or G plasmid reversed ADMA-induced HUVECs migration and tube formation. AGXT2 rs37369-A showed increased ADMA degradation activity and marginally prolonged the lifetime of CHF patients. Conclusions ADMA might accelerate the progression of CHF possibly by inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting migration of HUVECs. AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism is associated with increased risk for CHF, which may due to distinct disparities of alleles in ADMA degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is now widely recognized as being critical to maintain the function of immune cells. Recent studies suggest that aberrant DNA methylation levels not only can result in immune cells autoreactivity in vitro, but also are related to autoimmunity in vivo. Environmental factors and genetic polymorphisms cause abnormal methylation, which affects the expression of certain immune-related genes, being becoming hot spot of explaining the mechanism of autoimmune diseases. This paper reviews the importance of abnormal methylation during the development of common autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, aiming at a better understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and providing new ideas for the treatment of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: We studied the association between mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) Glu504Lys (rs671 or ALDH2*2) polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD), and sought to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association. Methods: The ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was genotyped in 417 CAD patients and 448 age- and gender-matched controls. All participants were Han Chinese. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) isolated from 11 human umbilical cords were genotyped, cultured, and exposed to angiotensin II (Ang II, 10−7–10−5 mol/L). Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) mRNA expression levels were determined by real-time PCR. Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in culture media and cell lysates were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). Results: The frequency of carriers of the ALDH2 rs671 A allele (GA+AA) was significantly higher in patients with CAD (47.5%) than in controls (35.0%, p =0.0002). After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for CAD for carriers of the rs671 A allele was 1.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–2.49, p =0.00005) in the entire study cohort, and 1.95 (95% CI: 1.40–2.70, p =0.00007) in non-drinkers. In non-drinking controls, the homozygous rs671 AA genotype was associated with significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations compared with rs671 GG homozygotes (p =0.015). HUVEC cells homozygous for the G allele of rs671 showed a significantly higher DDAH1 mRNA expression and lower intracellular ADMA levels compared with heterozygous GA cells (p <0.05, respectively). In homozygous GG cells, high concentrations of Ang II (10−5 mol/L) decreased DDAH1 mRNA expression and increased intracellular ADMA concentrations. Conclusions: The rs671 polymorphism of ALDH2 is associated with CAD in Han Chinese, possibly by influencing HDL-C levels and endothelial ADMA levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]