Abstract
An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and a polymorphism (rs6313) in the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5-HT2A) have previously been linked to smoking behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the possible association of the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2A gene polymorphisms with smoking behavior within a population of Malaysian male smokers (n=248) and non-smokers (n=248). The 5-HTTLPR genotypes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were classified as short (S) alleles or long (L) alleles. The 5HT2A genotypes were determined using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). No significant differences in the distribution frequencies of the alleles were found between the smokers and the non-smokers for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (x2 = 0.72, P>0.05) or the 5HT2A polymorphism (x2 = 0.73, P>0.05). This is the first study conducted on Malaysian Malay males regarding the association of 5-HTTLPR and 5HT2A polymorphisms and smoking behavior. However, the genes were not found to be associated with smoking behavior in our population.
Highlights
Nicotine is the main addictive substance in cigarettes and is responsible for the development, as well as the maintenance, of the smoking addiction [1]
One study showed that serotonin release was increased in the cortical region of the brain in rats treated with nicotine and that nicotine withdrawal seemed to be related to the subsequent decrease in serotonin [4]
The present study investigated the possible associations between the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2A polymorphisms and the smoking behavior of Malaysian Malay males, which has not yet been investigated
Summary
Nicotine is the main addictive substance in cigarettes and is responsible for the development, as well as the maintenance, of the smoking addiction [1]. The present study investigated the possible associations between the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2A polymorphisms and the smoking behavior of Malaysian Malay males, which has not yet been investigated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on a Malaysian Malay male population regarding the association of 5-HTTLPR and 5HT2A polymorphisms and smoking behavior.
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