Abstract:
In coronary atherosclerosis, there are many genes whose products are involved in
the development of the disease and for which a genetic polymorphism has been described.
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the -75G/A polymorphism of the
apolipoprotein A1 gene (Apo A1) and the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin converting
enzyme (ACE) on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI).
Our case-control study included 319 subjects who received a full lipid profile (TC,
TG, HDL, LDL) and a homocysteine assay. The study population was divided into two
groups: control group (160 apparently healthy subjects) and patient group (159 subjects
with MI). Genotyping of the Apo A1 polymorphism was done by a PCR RFLP using the
restriction enzyme MspI. Genotyping of ACE polymorphism was determined by direct
PCR
Our results show that the mutated genotype AA of Apo A1 is not significantly
associated with the risk of MI (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.27-2.008). However carriers of the
genotype AA, either in control or in patients, have higher serum levels of HDL. Regarding
the DD genotype of ACE, patients have significantly higher frequencies compared to
controls (p = 0.02).
In conclusion, individuals with the AA genotype appear to be likely to have a lower
risk of MI as a result of its effect on higher serum concentrations of HDL. Furthermore our
study confirms the supposed role of the DD genotype of ACE as a marker of MI in our
population. Additional studies are needed to confirm this finding
