APOC3, CETP, fibrinogen and MTHFR are genetic determinants of carotid intima-media thickness in supposed healthy men (the Stanislas cohort)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between carotid i ntima-media thickness (CIMT) interindividual variability and 16 polymorphis ms of I I genes associated with cardiovascular risk factors (genes among li pid and homocysteine metabolisms, blood viscosity, platelet aggregation, le ukocyte adhesion and renin-angiotensin system). CIMT was measured by high resolution B mode ultrasonography in an healthy p opulation of 77 men and 84 women, aged 35-54 years and selected from a Fren ch cohort: the Stanislas cohort. The polymorphisms studied were genotyped by a multilocus approach. Statisti cal analyses were done by ANOVA after adjustment of CIMT for age, BMI and s moking and by multiple regression analyses. No association was found with A POB Thr71 IIe, APOCS -482C/T, -455T/C, GpIIIa P1A, AT1R 1166A/C, AGT Met235 Thr, CBS IIe278Thr, SELE 98G/T and SELE Ser128Arg, polymorphism neither in men nor in women. Although, in women we found always no association for the APOC3 3206T/G, 3175C/G, 1100C/T, the CETP IIe405Val, the MTHFR 677C/T and the fibrinogen -455G/A polymorphism's, in men these polymorphism's were ass ociated with CIMT variability (0.01 less than or equal top less than or equ al to0.05). The most interesting finding was that altogether these genes in men were able to explain a considerable part, 20.6%, of CIMT variability. Therefore, our study gives a new opportunity to understand CIMT variability .