The UCP2 -866G/A, Ala55Val and UCP3 -55C/T polymorphisms are associated with premature coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican population.

We examined the role of UCP gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for premature coronary artery disease (pCAD). The UCP2 Ala55Val (C/T rs660339), UCP2 -866G/A (rs659366), and UCP3 -55C/T (rs1800849) polymorphisms were genotyped in 948 patients with pCAD, and 763 controls. The distribution of the UCP2 A55V (C/T rs660339) and UCP3 -55 (rs1800849) was similar in patients and controls. However, under a recessive model, the UCP2 -866 (rs659366) A allele was associated with increased risk of developing pCAD (OR = 1.43, Pc = 0.003). On the other hand, patients with pCAD and UCP2 A55V (rs660339) TT showed high levels of visceral abdominal fat (VAF) (Pc = 0.002), low levels of subcutaneous abdominal fat (SAF) (Pc = 0.001) and high VAT/SAT ratio (Pc < 0.001). Also, patients with UCP2 -866 (rs659366) AA showed increased levels of VAF (Pc = 0.003), low levels of SAF (Pc = 0.001) and a high VAT/SAT ratio (Pc = 0.002), whereas patients with the UCP3 -55 (rs1800849) TT presented high levels of VAF (Pc = 0.002). The results suggest the association of the UCP2 -866 (rs659366) polymorphism with risk of developing pCAD. Some polymorphisms were associated with abdominal fat levels and cardiovascular risk factors.