C-reactive protein 1059G/C gene polymorphism, C-reactive protein levels and acute myocardial infarction

AIMS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an inflammatory marker, predicting the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Genetic predisposition to high baseline CRP might account for a high risk of heart diseases. Our study aimed at investigating an association of CRP 1059G/C gene polymorphism with plasma CRP levels and AMI in Egyptian patients. METHODS: Genotypes of 150 patients with AMI and 150 healthy sex and age-matched controls were analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. hs-CRP concentrations were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant association between CRP 1095G/C polymorphism and AMI. However, individuals with GG genotype had significantly higher plasma CRP concentration than those with GC and CC genotypes, in both controls (3.82±1.03 vs. 2.34±0.7; P=0.001) and patients with AMI (8.39±2.6 vs. 6.67±2.4; P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that CRP 1059G/C gene variation influences plasma CRP levels. Conversely, this polymorphism was not associated with the risk for AMI. © 2012 Italian Federation of Cardiology.