Objectives: We investigated whether α(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) polymorphisms (α(2A)-AR, α(2B)-AR and α(2C)-AR gene) affected silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Design and methods: Genetic polymorphisms were determined in 321 patients with T2DM and coronary artery disease (CAD). Among them, 129 patients experienced transient asymptomatic ST-depression during 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram (SMI group), and the remaining 192 patients who had ambulatory electrocardiogram-symptom matching angina were categorized as angina group.
Results: The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of α(2B)-AR gene polymorphism (insertion [I]/deletion[D]) exhibited significant difference between SMI group and angina group (both P < 0.05), with genotype II (34.9%) being higher in SMI group than in angina group (19.8%) (P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of diabetes and genotype II of α(2B)-AR gene polymorphism were independently associated with SMI.
Conclusions: Homozygote for I allele of α(2B)-AR gene polymorphism is associated with SMI in T2DM patients with CAD.
Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.