The proline 12 alanine substitution in the PPARgamma2 gene is associated with increased extent of coronary artery disease in men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an independent association between the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor gamma2 (PPARgamma2)-gene and the extent of coronary artery disease in men. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We determined the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARgamma2 gene in 240 male patients undergoing elective coronary angiograpy, and quantitated the degree of CAD by evaluating the extent-score which better correlates with known risk factors than other measures of CAD.
RESULTS: The presence of the 12Ala allele was significantly associated with higher CAD extent (r=0.27, p<0.01). CAD extent was also correlated with the extent of insulin resistance (HOMA, r=0.22, p<0.01), and age (r=0.16, p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed an independent association between the 12Ala allele PPARgamma2 with extent-score (beta=0.32, p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: The 12Ala allele in PPARgamma2 correlates with a significantly increased CAD extent in men, which suggest that lower activity of the transcription factor PPARgamma2 is associated with more severe CAD. J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart New York.