The relationship between -C344/T aldosterone svnthase (CYP11B2) gene polymorphism, enzyme activity level and increased risk of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background. Aldosterone plays an important role in the pathogenesis of non-familial AF. The aldosterone synthase gene (-C/344T CYP11B2) encodes aldosterone synthase - the enzyme that catalyzes the una! reaction to generate aldosterone. Despite several investigation studies of association between -C/344T CYP11 Si gene polymorphism, enzyme activity and atria; fibrillation (AF) presence, their results still remain controversial. Objectives. To examine the association between the -C/344T C.YP11B2 gene polymorphism, enzyme activity level and risk of nonvalvular AF development. Material and methods. The authors observed 45 patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal (group 1, n = 28) and persistent AF (group 2, n = 1 7) on the background ot ts< hemic heart disease and/or hypertension, without significant structural myocardial damage. The third - control group - consisted of 39 subjects without cardiovascular diseases and history of arrhythmias. Patients were genotvped for the CYP11B2 gene polymorphism using ihe polymerase chain reaction. Aldosterone synthase enzyme activity in plasma was aiso determined. Results. In patients with AF the frequency of 1/1 genotype and T-allele was significantly higher than in the control group. The total number of AF-rhythin disorders was associated with the increased T-allele frequency. Aldosterone synthase enzyme activ¬ity level was significantly higher in patients with persistant AF and TT-genotype versus patients of other genotypes in this group and in all patients in the control group. Conclusions. TT-genotype and T-allele of -C344/T CYP11B2 gene associates so with nonvalvular AF presence, as with signifi¬cantly higher aldosterone synthase activity level in patients with persistant AF, Patients with TT-genotype have higher risk of AF development.