Cor Vasa 2004, 45(4):167-170
Arg 25 ® Pro polymorphism in transforming growth factor-β1 influence plasma cholesterol levels but not the risk of myocardial infarction
- 1 Pracoviště experimentální medicíny a Pracoviště preventivní kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny
- 2 Pracoviště pro experimentální výzkum v kardiologii, Praha, Česká republika
Background:
Cytokine, a transforming growth factor-β1, plays an important role in many physiological processes including atherosclerotic lesion development. The effect of TGF-β1 on ABCG-1 (which plays an important role in cholesterol transport) expression has been described. As regards TGF-β1, two polymorphisms associated with TGF-β1 activity (Leu 10 ® Pro and Arg 25 ® Pro) in the signal peptide have been described.
Methods and examined individuals:
Using PCR and restriction analysis, we analyzed these TGF-β1 polymorphisms in a representative selected sample of 122 males and 146 females and sought to determine whether or not there are some associations between these two polymorphisms and plasma cholesterol levels. Lipid levels of all individuals surveyed in 1988 and 1996 were available.
Results:
In males, carriers of the Pro25 allele have higher levels of total cholesterol (6.80 ± 1.86 mmol/L vs. 6.14 ± 1.17 mmol/L, p < 0.05, in 1988) and LDL-cholesterol (3.67 ± 1.07 mmol/L vs. 3.23 ± 0.80 mmol/L, p < 0.05, in 1996) compared with Arg 25 homozygotes. No such associations were found in females. Leu 10 ® Pro polymorphisms did not significantly affect plasma lipid levels in males or females. TGF-β1 genotype frequencies did not differ between control males and patients with myocardial infarction (n = 315).
Conclusions:
Arg 25 ® Pro polymorphisms in the TGF-β1 gene significantly affected plasma cholesterol levels in males, but not in females.
Keywords: Transforming growth factor-β1; Polymerase chain reaction; Polymorphism; Cytokine; Cholesterol
Published: April 1, 2004 Show citation