Sequence variations in the FII, FV, F13A1, FGB and PAI-1 genes are associated with differences in myocardial perfusion

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Hereditary Thrombophilia-A Focus on Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A

Factor V (FV) Leiden and prothrombin G20210A are the most common hereditary thrombophilias. While their role in venous thromboembolism is well known, there are still uncertainties regarding their relationship with arterial thrombotic events, especially coronary ones. Our research, based on an in-depth analysis of the available literature, provides up-to-date information on the relationship between FV Leiden and prothrombin G20210A and acute myocardial infarction. FV Leiden and prothrombin G20210A screening should be implemented only in select cases, such as acute coronary syndrome in young individuals and/or in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and/or in the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis at angiography. Their identification should be followed by the implementation of optimal control of modifiable traditional cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the risk of recurrent events and genotyping and genetic counseling of all family members of affected cases for proper prophylaxis. An extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may be considered, given the lower risk of bleeding under DAPT conferred by FV Leiden.

Investigating the genetic characteristics of CAD: Is there a role for myocardial perfusion imaging techniques?

Several environmental and genetic factors have been found to influence the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Although the effects of the environmental hazards on CAD pathophysiology are well documented, the genetic architecture of the disease remains quite unclear. A number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified based on the results of the genome-wide association studies. However, there is a lack of strong evidence regarding molecular causality. The minority of the reported predisposing variants can be related to the conventional risk factors of CAD, while most of the polymorphisms occur in non-protein-coding regions of the DNA. However, independently of the specific underlying mechanisms, genetic information could lead to the identification of a population at higher genetic risk for the long-term development of CAD. Myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are functional imaging techniques that can evaluate directly myocardial perfusion, and detect vascular and/or endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, these techniques could have a role in the investigation of the underlying mechanisms associated with the identified predisposing variants, advancing our understanding regarding molecular causality. In the population at higher genetic risk, myocardial SPECT or PET could provide important evidence through the early depiction of sub-clinical dysfunctions, well before any atherosclerosis marker could be identified. Notably, SPECT and PET techniques have been already used for the investigation of the functional consequences of several CAD-related polymorphisms, as well as the response to certain treatments (statins). Furthermore, therefore, in the clinical setting, the combination of genetic evidence with the findings of myocardial SPECT, or PET, functional imaging techniques could lead to more efficient screening methods and may improve decision making with regard to the diagnostic investigation and patients' management.

The Correlation Between FGB Promoter Polymorphism and Clotting Function in Patients With Idiopathic Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

To explore the possible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sites in the promoter region of fibrinogen B β (FGB), and construct logistic regression model and haplotype model, so as to reveal the influence of FGB promoter SNPs on susceptibility, hemodynamics and coagulation function of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) in the genetic background. LEDVT patients (120) and healthy people (120) were taken as case and control objects, respectively. SNPs and their genotypes of FGB promoter were detected by promoter sequencing and PCR-RFLP. The parameters of coagulation system were evaluated. There were 6 SNPs in FGB promoter, which were β-148C/T, β-249C/T, β-455G/A, β-854G/A, β-993C/T and β-1420G/A. The genotype and allele frequency of β-1420 G/A, β-455G/A, β-249c/T and β-148C/T were significantly different between the LEDVT group and the control group, but not β-993C/T and β-854G/A. In addition, we found that the higher the content of Fibrinogen (FG), the higher the risk of LEDVT. The risk of LEDVT increased by 4.579 times for every unit increase of fibrinogen. We also found that FG, PT and APTT in LEDVT group were higher than those in control group, while TT was lower than those in control group; Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all coagulation indexes among 6 SNP genotypes in LEDVT group, while a significant difference was found between the 2 genotypes of β-993C/T in the control group. β-993C/T may indirectly affect the susceptibility of LEDVT by improving the basic level of plasma FG.

Impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion: Correlations with myocardial single photon emission computed tomography-derived parameters

BACKGROUND

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has an important role in atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of six RAAS gene polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined 810 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) using stress-rest myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography. Summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), summed difference score (SDS), transient ischemic dilation (TID), and lung/heart ratio (LHR) were recorded. The following gene polymorphisms were investigated: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D), angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and T174M, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C, renin (REN) C5312T, and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) C3123A. The heterozygotes or homozygotes on ACE D allele were 7.54 times more likely to have abnormal SSS, while the AGT (T174M) heterozygotes were 5.19 times more likely to have abnormal SSS. The homozygotes of ACE D had significantly higher values on TID and LHR, while the AGT (T174M) heterozygotes had higher values on TID. The AT1R heterozygotes had greater odds for having SSS ≥ 3. The patients carried AT1R homozygosity of C allele had significantly higher values on TID, while heterozygotes of AT1R had significantly higher values on LHR.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the polymorphisms investigated, ACE D allele had the strongest association with abnormal myocardial perfusion.

Thrombosis risk factors and gene mutations in young age patients with acute coronary syndrome

Goal of research. Study the role of thrombosis risk factors and polymorphisms in genes in young age patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Te study included 299 patients of age 25 to 44 years old with ACS were treated from 2012 to 2017 at the department of myocardial infarction 1st KGBUZ Altay regional cardiological clinic. Te middle age of patients with ACS was 40.3 ± 0.2 years. Te control group included of 53 apparently healthy volunteers aged from 25 to 44 years old, the average age those patients was 39.94 ± 0.79 years. Also, those patients hadn't any comorbid conditions. Te control group hadn't any datas of ischemic heart disease by the results of exercise tolerance tests. All patients had standard clinical, anamnestic, biochemical tests, lipid profle, fasting plasma glucose, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and coronaroangiography, also they were determined growth and weight with body-weight index. 116 patients from the ACS group and 53 patients fromthe control group had screening of polymerase chain reaction for determine polymorphism of the FII genes G20210-A, FV G1691-A, and MTHFR C677-T.

RESULTS

We identifed the most signifcant sets of risk factors associated with ACS in young age patients based on our multifactorial statistical analysis with binary logistic regression. Tis combination of risk factors was: increased levels of low-density lipoproteins, decreased levels of high-density lipoproteins, smoking, existence of MTHFR homozygous polymorphism, heredity in combination with smoking, FV homozygote, MTHFR homozygote, smoking with MTHFR-homozygote.

CONCLUSION

Te ability predicting the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in young people based on traditional risk factors, partly modifable, as well as the researching of "new" risk factors, opens up new opportunities for developing a clinical approach of treating young patients with high risk of ACS.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase T-786C Mutation, Prothrombin Gene Mutation (G-20210-A) and Protein S Deficiency Could Lead to Myocardial Infarction in a Very Young Male Adult

INTRODUCTION:

Myocardial infarction is a rare medical event in young people. The main reasons include congenital coronary abnormalities, coronary artery spasm, and coronary thrombosis due to hypercoagulable states (hereditary and acquired).

AIM:

We present a case of a young male adult with myocardial infarction caused by a combination of gene mutations and anticoagulation protein deficiency.

CASE PRESENTATION:

A 19 years old young man was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest pain during the last two weeks. The patient did not have any known cardiovascular risk factors, except a positive family anamnesis. Subacute inferior nonST segment myocardial infarction was diagnosed according to the patient’s history, electrocardiographic and laboratory findings. Coronary angiography revealed suboclusive thrombus in the proximal, medial and distal part of the right coronary artery (TIMI 2). Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed. Anticoagulant and antiagregant therapy (heparin, acetilsalicilic acid and clopidogrel) according to protocol was started. The hospital stay was uneventful. Homozygous endothelial nitric oxid synthase (eNOS) T-786-C mutation, heterozygote prothrombin gene mutation (G-20210-A), and protein S deficiency were verified from the thrombophilia testing. Other trombophilic tests were normal. Three months after discharge from hospital another coronary angiography was performed. It revealed normal coronary arteries. Four years after the attack, the patient is free of symptoms and another cardiovascular event.

CONCLUSION:

Combination of genetic mutations and anticoagulation protein deficiency could be a reasonable cause for myocardial infarction in a very young male adult without any other cardiovascular risk factors.

Association of Hemostatic Gene Polymorphisms With Early-Onset Ischemic Heart Disease in Egyptian Patients

The association between hereditary thrombophilia and venous thrombosis is well established but controversial data exist with respect to arterial thrombosis. We performed a pilot study on 31 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 21 patients with unstable angina (UA), and 20 healthy volunteers to investigate the role of various hemostatic gene polymorphisms in young Egyptian patients, who survived their first ischemic heart disease (IHD). Thrombophilic gene polymorphisms were tested using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and reverse-hybridization technique. We showed an increased risk of AMI with factor V (FV) Leiden and prothrombin G20210A heterozygosity. The increased risks of UA was associated with GA and A allele of fibrinogen β-455G→A polymorphism. Conversely, factor XIII (FXIII) Val34Leu GT and T allele were protective in the UA group. Nevertheless, the prevalence of FV H1299R, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, glycoprotein IIIa C1565T, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T, and A1298C mutations did not differ between patients with IHD and controls. The data have clinical implications regarding screening and thromboprophylaxis in high-risk individuals younger than 40 years.

Thrombophilic Mutations and Polymorphisms, Alone or in Combination, and Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Generally, recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSAs) have no identifiable cause; yet, vascular alterations during pregnancy may be associated with pregnancy loss. Therefore, we evaluated the association between thrombophilic mutations and RSAs. This case–control study was conducted in 112 patients who had RSAs and 98 health control women. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and polymorphism genotyping was conducted using polymerase chain reaction. The following 6 genetic variants were analyzed: factor V Leiden, prothrombin mutation, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (4G>5G), and factor XIII G103T (V34L). No correlations were found in any of the investigated polymorphisms. Moreover, 35.0% of cases and 25.5% of controls had at least 2 mutations in combination, and 4.8% of cases and 5.1% of controls had 3, but these combinations were not associated with additional risk. In conclusion, we found no association between the polymorphisms studied and the occurrence of RSAs.

Are centenarians genetically predisposed to lower disease risk?

Our study purpose was to compare a disease-related polygenic profile that combined a total of 62 genetic variants among (i) people reaching exceptional longevity, i.e., centenarians (n = 54, 100-108 years, 48 women) and (ii) ethnically matched healthy controls (n = 87, 19-43 years, 47 women). We computed a 'global' genotype score (GS) for 62 genetic variants (mutations/polymorphisms) related to cardiometabolic diseases, cancer or exceptional longevity, and also specific GS for main disease categories (cardiometabolic risk and cancer risk, including 36 and 24 genetic variations, respectively) and for exceptional longevity (7 genetic variants). The 'global' GS was similar among groups (centenarians: 31.0 ± 0.6; controls 32.0 ± 0.5, P = 0.263). We observed that the GS for hypertension, cancer (global risk), and other types of cancer was lower in the centenarians group compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), yet the difference became non significant after adjusting for sex. We observed significant between-group differences in the frequency of GSTT1 and GSTM1 (presence/absence) genotypes after adjusting for multiple comparisons. The likelihood of having the GSTT1 low-risk (functional) allele was higher in centenarians (odds ratio [OR] 5.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.810-13.839), whereas the likelihood of having the GSTMI low-risk (functional) allele was similar in both groups (OR 1.295; 95% CI, 0.868 -1.931). In conclusion, we found preliminary evidence that Spanish centenarians have a lower genetic predisposition for cancer risk. The wild-type (i.e., functional) genotype of GSTT1, which is associated with lower cancer risk, might be associated with exceptional longevity, yet further studies with larger sample sizes must confirm these findings.