Negative association of MK2 gene polymorphisms with low density lipoprotein cholesterol in Uygur population from HETIAN area of Xinjiang

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms of the mitogen-activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 gene (MK2) with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in Xinjiang Urgur population. Methods: 350 Uygur males and 595 females were recruited randomly from HETIAN area. The 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs44890 and rs45514798) in MK2 gene were selected and genotyped by Taqman-PCR in the recruited 945 Uygur subjects. All subjects underwent questionnaire, physical examination, measurement of lipid levels and plasma TNF-alpha. Results: (1) In males, the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) [TT:CT:CC:(4.35±1.20) vs (4.69±1.34) vs (4.83±1.44), P=0.033] and TNF-alpha [TT:CT:CC:(106.63±62.39) vs (128.44±86.15) vs (153.06±82.99), P=0.001] was different in 3 genotypes of rs44890. But the LDL-C levels in TT, CT, CC genotypes of rs44890 were not different neither in males nor in females [male: (2.64±1.16) vs (2.81±1.28) vs (3.04±1.32), P>0.05; female: (2.42±1.11) vs (2.36±0.99) vs (2.43±1.05), P>0.05]. None of the alleles and genotypes frequencies of rs44890 and rs45514798 were different between high LDL-C group and control group. Linear regression analysis indicated that BMI (beta=0.089) and TNF-alpha (beta=0.002) were significant factors for LDL-C in males, while the age, BMI, and waist/hip ratio for LDL-C in females. However, rs44890 presented as effective factor on plasma TNF-alpha. (3) Two SNPs (rs44890 and rs45514798) were not involved in the logistic regression model, adjusting for gender, age, smoking, alcohol intake, waist/hip ratio, BMI and TNF-alpha, suggesting which may not be effective factors of higher LDL-C. Conclusion: Our data showed negative association of polymorphisms in MK2 gene with LDL-C in Uygur population from HETIAN area of Xinjiang.