Paraoxonase 2 Cys311Ser polymorphism and its association with the systolic blood pressure values in asymptomatic dyslipidemic individuals: a pilot study

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the relationship of paraoxonase 2 (PON2) gene Cys311Ser variants with blood pressure values, endothelial/hemostatic marker levels, and other laboratory parameters in asymptomatic dyslipidemic subjects. The same analyses were also performed with the common variants of PON2 Cys311Ser and -T1131C apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) polymorphisms, and PON2 Cys311Ser and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-four individuals were included in the study. The laboratory parameters were assessed by routine kit methods, while methods based on polymerase chain reaction were used for PON2, ApoA5, and ApoE genotyping. Results: PON2 311 SS homozygous individuals had significantly lower systolic blood pressure values (SBP, p < 0.01), C-reactive protein, and apolipoprotein A1 levels (p < 0.05), as compared with C allele carriers. The analysis revealed no differences in the levels of endothelial/hemostatic markers, except for the increased adhesion molecule [soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1)] concentrations in 311S/E2 carriers (p < 0.05). PON2 311S subjects showed the lowest values of SBP in combination with "neutral" ApoE3 allele (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of the PON2 311 C variant could represent an elevated risk of atherosclerotic complications in asymptomatic dyslipidemic individuals. Nevertheless, considering the study limitations, these relationships are necessary to be confirmed in further research.