Association of a genetic variant of BTN2A1 with metabolic syndrome in East Asian populations.

BACKGROUND: The authors previously showed that the C→T polymorphism (rs6929846) of butyrophilin, subfamily 2, member A1 gene (BTN2A1) was significantly associated with myocardial infarction in Japanese individuals. Given that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important risk factor for myocardial infarction, the association of the rs6929846 of BTN2A1 with myocardial infarction might be attributable, at least in part, to its effect on susceptibility to MetS. AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine the relation of the rs6929846 of BTN2A1 to MetS in East Asian populations. METHODS: The study population comprised 5210 Japanese or Korean individuals (3982 individuals with MetS, 1228 controls) from three independent subject panels. Japanese subject panels A and B comprised 1322 individuals with MetS and 654 controls, and 1909 individuals with MetS and 170 controls, respectively, whereas the Korean population samples comprised 751 individuals with MetS and 404 controls. RESULTS: Comparison of genotype distributions using the χ(2) test revealed that the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of rs6929846 were significantly (p<0.05) associated with MetS in Japanese subject panels A (T allele frequency: MetS, 0.091; controls, 0.054; p=6.1×10(-5)) and B (T allele frequency: MetS, 0.091; controls, 0.039; p=0013) but not in the Korean population samples (T allele frequency: MetS, 0.102; controls, 0.125; p=0.0997). Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates revealed that the rs6929846 of BTN2A1 was significantly (p<0.017) associated with MetS in Japanese subject panel A (p=0.0055, OR 1.97) and in all individuals (p=0.0038, OR 1.38), with the T allele representing a risk factor for this condition. CONCLUSION: BTN2A1 may be a susceptible gene for MetS in Japanese individuals.

Association of a polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E gene with chronic kidney disease in Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome. The study population comprised 2150 Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome, including 411 subjects with CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <50 mL/min/1.73m(2)] and 1739 controls (eGFR >/=60 mL/min/1.73m(2)). The genotypes for 100 polymorphisms of 80 candidate genes were determined. The chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates, as well as a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that nine polymorphisms of APOE, ABCA1, PTGS1, TNF, CPB2, AGTR1, OR13G1, and GNB3 were associated (P<0.05) with the prevalence of CKD. Among these polymorphisms, the -219G-->T polymorphism of APOE (rs405509) was most significantly associated with CKD in Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Association of genetic variants with chronic kidney disease in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although diabetes mellitus has been recognized as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), genetic factors for predisposition to CKD in individuals with diabetes mellitus remain elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to CKD among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study population comprised 1742 Japanese individuals, including 636 subjects with CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 ml/min/1.73 m2] and 1106 controls (eGFR>or=60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The genotypes for 24 polymorphisms of 22 candidate genes were determined. An initial screen of allele frequencies by the Chi-square test revealed that four polymorphisms were significantly (false discovery rate<0.05) associated with the prevalence of CKD in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates as well as a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that the 8733T-->C polymorphism of ALOX5AP (rs3803278), the C-->T (Ser532Leu) polymorphism of IRAK1 (rs1059703), and the 2445G-->A (Ala54Thr) polymorphism of FABP2 (rs1799883) were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the prevalence of CKD. Our results suggest that ALOX5AP, IRAK1, and FABP2 are susceptibility loci for CKD among Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Association of gene polymorphisms with chronic kidney disease in high- or low-risk subjects defined by conventional risk factors.

The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants which confer susceptibility to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in high- or low-risk subjects defined by conventional risk factors separately. The study population comprised 2828 Japanese individuals, including 434 subjects with CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)] and 2394 controls (eGFR > or =60 ml/min/ 1.73 m(2)). The 1012 high-risk subjects had both hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and the 1816 low-risk subjects had none of these conditions. The genotypes for 296 polymorphisms of 202 candidate genes were determined. The Chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates, as well as a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that ten different polymorphisms were associated (P<0.05) with the prevalence of CKD in high- or low-risk subjects: the -519Aright curved arrow G polymorphism of MMP1, the 1061Aright curved arrow G (Ile405Val) polymorphism of CETP, the Aright curved arrow G (Lys45Glu) polymorphism of MMP3, the -219Gright curved arrow T polymorphism of APOE, the Aright curved arrow G (Ile1205Val) polymorphism of COL3A1, the -863Cright curved arrow A polymorphism of TNF, and the 1454Cright curved arrow G (Leu125Val) polymorphism of PECAM1 in high-risk subjects; and the 1167Cright curved arrow T (Asn389Asn) polymorphism of TGFBR2, the 2386Aright curved arrow G (Ile796Val) polymorphism of SCAP, and the TAAAright curved arrow del polymorphism of PDE4D in low-risk subjects. Among these polymorphisms, the -519Aright curved arrow G polymorphism of MMP1 and the 1167Cright curved arrow T (Asn389Asn) polymorphism of TGFBR2 were most significantly associated with CKD in high- or low-risk individuals, respectively. These results suggest that polymorphisms associated with CKD may differ among high- or low-risk subjects. Stratification of subjects according to conventional risk factors may thus be important for personalized prevention of CKD based on genetic information.

Association of genetic variants with chronic kidney disease in individuals with different lipid profiles.

The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with low or high serum concentrations of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, thereby contributing to the personalized prevention of CKD in such individuals. The study population comprised 5944 Japanese individuals, including 1706 subjects with CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 ml/min/1.73 m2] and 4238 controls (eGFR>or=60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The genotypes for 296 polymorphisms of 202 candidate genes were determined. The Chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates, and a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that seven different polymorphisms were significantly (P<0.005) associated with the prevalence of CKD in individuals with low or high serum concentrations of TG or HDL- or LDL-cholesterol: the Aright curved arrow G (Glu23Lys) polymorphism of KCNJ11 and the 125592Cright curved arrow A (Thr431Asn) polymorphism of ROCK2 in individuals with low serum TG; the 734Cright curved arrow T (Thr254Ile) polymorphism of ACAT2 and the Cright curved arrow G (Gln27Glu) polymorphism of ADRB2 in individuals with high serum TG; the -1607/1Gright curved arrow 2G polymorphism of MMP1 in individuals with low serum HDL-cholesterol; the Gright curved arrow A (Val158Met) polymorphism of COMT in individuals with low serum LDL-cholesterol; the 584Gright curved arrow A (Gln192Arg) polymorphism of PON1 in individuals with high serum LDL-cholesterol. No polymorphism was associated with CKD in individuals with high serum HDL-cholesterol. These results suggest that polymorphisms associated with CKD may differ among individuals with different lipid profiles. Stratification of subjects according to lipid profiles may thus be important for personalized prevention of CKD based on genetic information.

Association of a polymorphism of ABCB1 with obesity in Japanese individuals.

The aim of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to obesity. A total of 5448 unrelated Japanese individuals from two independent populations were examined: subject panel A comprised 4252 individuals who visited participating hospitals; subject panel B comprised 1196 community-dwelling elderly individuals. The genotypes for 95 polymorphisms of 67 candidate genes were determined. The chi(2) test revealed that six polymorphisms were related (p<0.05) to the prevalence of obesity in subject panel A; after application of Bonferroni's correction, however, only the 2677G --> A/T polymorphism (rs2032582) of the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily B, member 1 gene (ABCB1) was significantly associated (p=0.0003) with obesity. Subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis also revealed that the 2677G --> A/T polymorphism of ABCB1 was significantly associated with obesity. For validation of this association, the 2677G --> A/T polymorphism of ABCB1 was examined in subject panel B and again found to be significantly associated with obesity. Body mass index was significantly (p=0.01) greater for individuals with the variant T allele of this polymorphism than for those with the GG genotype in the combined subject panels A and B. Our results suggest that the ABCB1 genotype may prove informative for assessment of genetic risk for obesity in Japanese individuals.

Genetic factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in Japanese individuals.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although genetic epidemiologic studies have implicated several genetic variants as risk factors for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, the genetic determinants of these conditions remain largely unknown. We performed an association study to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: The study population comprised 3432 unrelated Japanese individuals: 1362 stroke patients (822 with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, 333 with intracerebral hemorrhage, and 207 with subarachnoid hemorrhage) and 2070 controls. The genotypes for 50 polymorphisms of 38 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. RESULTS: An initial chi(2) test (false discovery rate <0.05) and subsequent multivariable logistic-regression analysis with adjustment for conventional risk factors (P<0.05) revealed that the -14C-->T polymorphism (rs1800977) of ABCA1, the A-->C (rs3027898) and C-->T (Ser532Leu, rs1059703) polymorphisms of IRAK1, and the G-->C (Cys2229Ser) polymorphism (rs619203) of ROS1 were significantly associated with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction; that the -428G-->A polymorphism (rs710968) of LIMK1 was significantly associated with intracerebral hemorrhage; and that the 13989A-->G (Ile118Val) polymorphism (NC_000007.12) of CYP3A4 was significantly associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Genotypes for ABCA1, IRAK1, and ROS1 may prove useful for assessment of the genetic risk for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, whereas those for LIMK1 and CYP3A4 may be similarly beneficial in assessment of the genetic risk for intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively. Validation of these findings will require additional studies with independent subject panels.

Women with mitochondrial haplogroup N9a are protected against metabolic syndrome.

To identify mitochondrial haplogroups that confer resistance against or susceptibility to metabolic syndrome, we performed a large-scale association study on 1,337 unrelated Japanese individuals, including 871 subjects with metabolic syndrome and 466 control subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, using the cutoff point for obesity as a BMI of >/=25 kg/m(2) instead of waist circumference. The genotypes for 25 polymorphisms in the coding region of the mitochondrial genome were determined, and the haplotypes were classified into 10 major haplogroups, i.e., F, B, A, N9a, M7a, M7b, G1, G2, D5, and D4. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the haplogroup N9a was significantly associated with resistance against metabolic syndrome in women with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.21 (95% CI 0.07-0.58, P = 0.0042). Women with haplogroups G1 and D5 tended to be resistant against metabolic syndrome with an OR of 0.22 (0.06-0.68, P = 0.0129) for G1 and with an OR of 0.32 (0.10-0.96, P = 0.0469) for D5, respectively. These results indicate that mitochondrial haplogroup N9a may be a protective factor against metabolic syndrome in Japanese women.

Assessment of genetic risk factors for thoracic aortic aneurysm in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Conventional risk factors for thoracic aortic aneurysm including dissection (TAA) are thought to include age, arteriosclerosis, and hypertension. In addition, evidence suggests that genetic factors play a role in the development of this condition. The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to TAA in hypertensive subjects. METHODS: Study subjects comprised 1,351 hypertensive individuals: 88 patients with TAA and 1,263 subjects without this condition. The genotypes for 142 polymorphisms of 119 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the PCR and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. RESULTS: Evaluation of genotype distributions by the chi2-test and subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates revealed that the 3949T-->G (3' untranslated region) polymorphism of the thrombospondin-2 gene (THBS2; odds ratio, 4.6), the -110A-->C polymorphism of the heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 gene (HSPA8; odds ratio, 0.4), the C-->T (Pro198Leu) polymorphism of the glutathione peroxidase 1 gene (GPX1; odds ratio, 0.3), the -6G-->A polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene (AGT; odds ratio, 0.3), and the -850C-->T polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor gene (TNF; odds ratio, 0.5) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with TAA. CONCLUSIONS: The variant allele of THBS2 is a risk factor for TAA in hypertensive patients, whereas the variant alleles of HSPA8, GPX1, AGT, and TNF are protective against this condition. Determination of genotypes for these polymorphisms may prove informative for assessment of the genetic risk for TAA.

Association of polymorphisms of ABCA1 and ROS1 with hypertension in Japanese individuals.

Although various environmental factors, such as a high-salt diet, a smoking habit, excessive alcohol intake, and physical inactivity, influence the development of hypertension, genetic variation also contributes to an individual's susceptibility to this condition. The purpose of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility or resistance to hypertension, and thereby contribute to the prediction of the genetic risk for this condition. The study population comprised 2752 unrelated Japanese individuals (1370 men, 1382 women), including 1276 subjects with hypertension (774 men, 502 women) and 1476 controls (596 men, 880 women). The genotypes for 50 polymorphisms of 35 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Evaluation of genotype distributions by the Chi-square test and subsequent multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia revealed that the -14C-->T polymorphism of ABCA1, the C-->G (Ser2229Cys) polymorphism of ROS1, the C-->T (Asn591Asn) polymorphism of LDLR, the 13989A-->G (Ile118Val) polymorphism of CYP3A4, the C-->G and A-->C polymorphisms of ADIPOR1, and the -519A-->G polymorphism of MMP1 were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the prevalence of hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure differed significantly among genotypes for the -14C-->T polymorphism of ABCA1 and the C-->G (Ser2229Cys) polymorphism of ROS1, with the variant T and G alleles, respectively, being related to increased blood pressure. These results suggest that polymorphisms of ABCA1 and ROS1 are determinants of blood pressure and the development of hypertension in Japanese individuals. Determination of genotypes for ABCA1 and ROS1 may thus prove informative for the prediction of the genetic risk for hypertension.

Association of genetic variants with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction in Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to atherothrombotic cerebral infarction among individuals with metabolic syndrome in order to allow prediction of genetic risk for this condition. The study population comprised 1284 unrelated Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome, including 313 subjects with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction and 971 controls. The genotypes for 296 polymorphisms of 202 candidate genes were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. The Chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus, as well as a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that the 2445G-->A (Ala54Thr) polymorphism (rs1799883) of FABP2, the -108/3G-->4G polymorphism of IPF1 (S82168), the A-->G (Thr94Ala) polymorphism (rs2241883) of FABP1, the G-->A (Asp2213Asn) polymorphism (rs529038) of ROS1, the -11377C-->G polymorphism (rs266729) of ADIPOQ, the 162A-->C polymorphism (rs4769055) of ALOX5AP, the -786T-->C polymorphism (rs2070744) of NOS3, and the 3279C-->T polymorphism (rs7291467) of LGALS2 were associated (P<0.05) with the prevalence of atherothrombotic cerebral infarction. Among these polymorphisms, the 2445G-->A (Ala54Thr) polymorphism of FABP2 was most significantly associated with this condition. Our results suggest that FABP2, IPF1, FABP1, ROS1, ADIPOQ, ALOX5AP, NOS3, and LGALS2 are susceptibility loci for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction among Japanese individuals with metabolic syndrome. Genotypes for these polymorphisms, especially for the 2445G-->A (Ala54Thr) polymorphism of FABP2, may prove informative for the prediction of genetic risk for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction among such individuals.

Prediction of genetic risk for metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to metabolic syndrome in order to allow reliable assessment of genetic risk for this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population comprised 1788 unrelated Japanese individuals (1033 men, 755 women), including 1017 subjects with metabolic syndrome (634 men, 383 women) and 771 controls (399 men, 372 women). The genotypes for 158 polymorphisms of 133 candidate genes were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, and the prevalence of smoking revealed that the -1131T-->C polymorphism of the apolipoprotein A-V gene (APOA5) was significantly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, with the C allele representing a risk factor for this condition. A stepwise forward selection procedure demonstrated that APOA5 genotype (CC+TC versus TT) significantly affected the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The C allele of this polymorphism was associated with an increased serum concentration of triglycerides and a decreased concentration of HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Genotype for APOA5 may prove reliable for assessment of genetic risk for metabolic syndrome.

Mitochondrial haplogroup A is a genetic risk factor for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction in Japanese females.

Mitochondrion-derived reactive oxygen species possibly play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, because mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells are the major site of superoxide production. In the present study, we surveyed mitochondrial haplogroups associated with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction in 1081 Japanese subjects. Twenty-six mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms of 11 major mitochondrial haplogroups (F, B, A, N9a, M7a, M7b, M7c, G1, G2, D4, and D5) were determined by use of 28-plex PCR and fluorescent beads combined with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for conventional risk factors revealed that mitochondrial haplogroup A was associated with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction in female subjects (P< 0.05). However, no significant association was detected for males. Our study shows that haplogroup A confers an increased risk of atherothrombotic cerebral infarction in Japanese females. Validation of our findings will require additional studies with independent subject panels.

Genetic risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: We performed an association study to identify gene polymorphisms for assessing the genetic risk of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population comprised 3151 unrelated Japanese individuals: 1141 stroke patients (636 with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, 282 with intracerebral hemorrhage, and 223 with subarachnoid hemorrhage) and 2010 controls. The genotypes for 202 polymorphisms of 152 genes were determined by suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for conventional risk factors revealed that the -572G-->C polymorphism of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene (IL6) was significantly (P<0.001) associated with both atherothrombotic cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage and that the -55C-->T polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3), the -863C-->A polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene (TNF), and the G-->A (Gly243Asp) polymorphism of the polycystic kidney disease 1-like gene (PKD1-like) were significantly associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: IL6 genotype may be useful in assessing the genetic risk for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage, and genotypes for UCP3, TNF, and PKD1-like may be similarly beneficial in assessment of the risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Validation of our findings will require additional studies with independent subject panels.

Association of gene polymorphisms with myocardial infarction in individuals with or without conventional coronary risk factors.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the genetic risk for myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals with or without conventional coronary risk factors and thereby to contribute to the personalized prevention of MI in such individuals. The study population comprised 3483 unrelated Japanese individuals (1913 men, 1570 women). The 1192 subjects with MI (926 men, 266 women) and 2291 controls (987 men, 1304 women) either had or did not have conventional coronary risk factors, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus. The genotypes for 164 polymorphisms of 137 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that nine different polymorphisms were significantly (P<0.005) associated with MI among individuals with or without hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes mellitus: 1018Cright curved arrow T of GP1BA, -108/3Gright curved arrow 4G of IPF1, 677Cright curved arrow T of MTHFR, and Gright curved arrow A of UTS2 in hypertensive individuals; 2445Gright curved arrow A of FABP2, -108/3Gright curved arrow 4G of IPF1, 677Cright curved arrow T of MTHFR, -11,377Cright curved arrow G of ACDC, Aright curved arrow G of AKAP10, 11,496Gright curved arrow A of F7, and 46Cright curved arrow T of F12 in individuals without hypercholesterolemia; 2445Gright curved arrow A of FABP2 in diabetic individuals; and -108/3Gright curved arrow 4G of IPF1 in nondiabetic individuals. Polymorphisms associated with MI may thus differ among individuals with different conventional coronary risk factors. Stratification of subjects on the basis of such risk factors may thus be important in order to achieve personalized prevention of MI with the use of genetic information.

Gender differences in the association of gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder in which endogenous sex hormones may contribute to sex-dependent etiologies. We hypothesized that genetic variants related to type 2 diabetes mellitus might differ between men and women. We thus performed a large-scale association study to identify gene polymorphisms associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in men and women separately. The study population comprised 4854 unrelated Japanese individuals (2688 men, 2166 women), including 1490 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (969 men, 521 women). The genotypes for 16 gene polymorphisms were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, body mass index, and smoking status revealed that the T-->G (3' UTR) polymorphism of the thrombospondin 2 gene (THBS2), the -603A-->G polymorphism of the coagulation factor III gene (F3), and the G-->T (intron 2) polymorphism of the adipocyte, C1Q, and collagen domain containing (adiponectin) gene (ADIPOQ) were significantly associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in men, and that the A-->G (Arg160Gly) polymorphism of the paraoxonase 1 gene (PON1) was significantly associated with this condition in women. A stepwise forward selection procedure demonstrated that genotypes of THBS2, F3, and ADIPOQ were significant determinants of type 2 diabetes mellitus in men, and that genotype of PON1 significantly affected this condition in women. Genotyping of these polymorphisms may prove informative for assessment of the genetic component of type 2 diabetes mellitus for men and women separately.

Genetic factors for lone atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may result from an electric conduction disturbance, increased hemodynamic stress, ischemia, inflammation, or remodeling in atria. Although genetic epidemiological studies have identified several genetic variants as risk factors for AF, the genetic determinants of this condition remain largely unknown. The purpose of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to lone AF. The study population comprised 1069 unrelated Japanese individuals, including 196 subjects with chronic lone AF and 873 controls. The genotypes for 40 polymorphisms of 32 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and the prevalence of smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperchole-sterolemia as well as a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that the -1306C-->T polymorphism of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 gene (MMP2) and the -592A-->C polymorphism of the interleukin 10 gene (IL10) were significantly (false discovery rate of <0.05) associated with the prevalence of AF. The T allele of the MMP2 polymorphism and the C allele of the IL10 polymorphism were a risk factor for and protective factor against AF, respectively. Determination of the genotypes for these polymorphisms may thus prove informative for assessment of the genetic component of AF.

Association of a polymorphism of CYP3A4 with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although several environmental factors, including a high-calorie diet and physical inactivity, influence the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, genetic factors have been shown to contribute to individual susceptibility to this condition. The purpose of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility or resistance to type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thereby to contribute to assessment of the genetic risk for this condition. The study population comprised 5259 unrelated Japanese individuals (2980 men, 2279 women), including 1640 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (1071 men, 569 women) and 3619 controls (1909 men, 1710 women). The genotypes for 94 polymorphisms of 67 genes were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Evaluation of genotype distributions by the chi-square test revealed that the 13989-->G (Ile118Val) polymorphism of the cytochrome P450, subfamily IIIA, polypeptide 4 gene (CYP3A4) was significantly (false discovery rate, 0.000009) associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and sex also revealed that the 13989-->G (Ile118Val) polymorphism of CYP3A4 was significantly (P=0.00002) associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with the AG genotype being protective against this condition. Genotyping for CYP3A4 may thus prove informative for assessment of the genetic risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Identification of a polymorphism of UCP3 associated with recurrent in-stent restenosis of coronary arteries.

The purpose of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to recurrent restenosis after bare-metal stenting of coronary arteries, and thereby to assess the genetic risk for this condition. The study population comprised 527 unrelated Japanese individuals, including 28 subjects who developed in-stent restenosis two or more times and 499 subjects without restenosis. The genotypes for 142 polymorphisms of 121 candidate genes were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Eleven polymorphisms were related (P<0.05) to the prevalence of recurrent in-stent restenosis as determined by the Chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and the prevalence of smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia revealed that the -55Cright curved arrow T polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3) was significantly (P=0.0006 in a recessive model) associated with the prevalence of recurrent in-stent restenosis, with the T allele representing a risk factor for this condition. A stepwise forward selection procedure showed that the UCP3 genotype significantly (P=0.0014, recessive model) affected the prevalence of recurrent in-stent restenosis. Determination of the genotype for UCP3 may thus contribute to assessment of the genetic risk for recurrent in-stent restenosis.

Association of gene polymorphisms with myocardial infarction in individuals with different lipid profiles.

Hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease. The purpose of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms for assessment of the genetic risk for myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals with low or high serum concentrations of high- density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, or triglyceride (TG), thereby contributing to the personalized prevention of MI in such individuals. The study population comprised 2682 unrelated Japanese individuals (1796 men, 886 women), including 1113 subjects (869 men, 244 women) with MI and 1569 controls (927 men, 642 women). The genotypes for 164 polymorphisms of 137 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and stepwise forward selection procedures revealed that seven different polymorphisms were significantly (P<0.005) associated with MI in individuals with low or high serum concentrations of HDL- or LDL-cholesterol or of TG: the 190T --> C (Trp64Arg) polymorphism of ADRB3 in individuals with low HDL-cholesterol; the 1018C --> T (Thr145Met) polymorphism of GP1BA, the A --> G (Ile646Val) polymorphism of AKAP10, and the -55C --> T polymorphism of UCP3 in individuals with high HDL-cholesterol; the -603A --> G polymorphism of F3 and the -11377C --> G polymorphism of ADIPOQ in individuals with low LDL-cholesterol; the 1018C --> T polymorphism of GP1BA in individuals with low TG; and the 4G --> 5G polymorphism of PAI1 in individuals with high TG. No polymorphism was associated with MI in individuals with high LDL-cholesterol. These results suggest that polymorphisms associated with MI may differ among individuals with different lipid profiles. Stratification of subjects according to lipid profiles may thus be important for personalized prevention of MI based on genetic information.