PON1 Q192r Polymorphism Is Associated With HDL-Cholesterol Levels in Adult Men

Abstract

ISEE-640 Objective: Chronic-degenerative illness (heart diseases and cerebrovascular accidents) occupies the first places in mortality in Mexico, and some genetic factors may play a role. Paraoxonase (PON1), an enzyme associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDL), has an anti-oxidant effect that prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. PON1 Q192R polymorphism has been considered a risk factor of coronary hearth disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate PON1 Q192R polymorphism in a Mexican population and its association with the serum lipid profile. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Muna, Yucatán, Mexico during the year 2005. Male inhabitants (with a strong Mayan ascendancy) were invited to participate and a total of 90 unrelated subjects agreed by signing an informed consent. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history were obtained by a questionnaire. Lipid profile was determined by enzymatic methods, PON1 activity by using paraoxon and phenylacetate as substrates and PON1 genotype by real-time PCR. Results: The allelic frequencies of the Q and R alleles were 0.44 and 0.56, respectively. Participants (48 years old) showed low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and high triglycerides levels. HDL-C levels were associated with PON1 Q192R genotype: individuals homozygotes for the 192R allele had significant lower HDL-C levels than homozygotes for the 192Q allele, and individuals with PON1 192RR and 192QR genotypes had an OR of 7.05 (95% CI = 1.29–38.34) of having HDL-C <60 mg/dL. Individuals with higher paraoxonase activity (>600.18 U/L, median) had an OR of 4.9 (95% CI = 0.83–22.02) of having HDL-C <60 mg/dL. PON1 Q192R genotype and phenotype were significantly associated. Conclusions: Results from this study will contribute to support the role of PON1 Q192R genetic polymorphism as one determinant of plasma lipoproteins and its potentially important antioxidant function; more studies are needed to determine further the association between PON1 polymorphism and cardiovascular diseases. Study supported by CONACYT (Grant #CO1-134).