Single nucleotide polymorphisms of ERβ and coronary atherosclerotic disease in Chinese Han women.

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence has shown that with the increase of age, the incidence of coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) in women increases to equal that of men. Several studies on the single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] seem to provide evidence in support of the protective role estrogen receptor β (ERβ) has in reducing the risk of CAD.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of ERβ SNPs rs1256049 RsaI 1082 A > G and rs4986938 AluI 1730 G > A with coronary atherosclerotic disease in Chinese Han women.

METHODS

We designed a nested case-control research, in which 120 case women and 30 control women were selected from the Forensic Medicine Department of Tongji Medical College, HUST. We isolated DNA from their lung paraffin blocks, and then screened for these two SNPs for each DNA sample. Post-statistical analysis of their genotypes and haplotypes was used to figure out the targeted association.

RESULTS

We found no significant difference between the genotypes or haplotypes of the two SNPs and the risk of CAD. However, the rs4986938 heterozygote AG variant was correlated with a significantly lower risk for CAD than did homozygote GG variant in the group of less than 40 years old. Haplotype AA of the two SNPs was correlated with a higher risk for CAD in the same group.

CONCLUSION

The rs4986938 AluI 1730 G > A seems to be quite involved in the genetic basis of the disease and needs more attention in future studies. Meanwhile, this very association made between CAD and the mentioned SNP seems to be affected quite a bit by age.