Endothelium dysfunction: Relation to angiotensin receptor gene polymorphism in patients with ischemic heart disease

Relationship between A1166C polymorphism of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT2R1) gene and endothelial function was studied in 73 patients with ischemic heart disease (42 men and 31 females; mean age 61,3+/-1,02 years, 28 with history of Q-wave myocardial infarction). Random sample (n=100) of patients (nonrelatives) hospitalized in traumatology departments in Moskva without ischemic heart disease, hypertension or diabetes served as population control. Hemostasiological function of endothelium was assessed by activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor, dynamics of protein C and von Willebrand and factor during venous occlusion. Registration of flow-mediated brachial artery dilation by ultrasound method was used for evaluation of vasomotor endothelial function. Frequency of C allele of the A72R1 gene was higher in patients with ischemic heart disease than in controls (29,5 and 20,5%, respectively; p=0,037). Frequencies of C allele and CC and AC genotypes were significantly higher in survivors of myocardial infarction (p=0,035). Genotype CC was associated with higher level of alpha(2)-antiplasmin (p=0,032) and increase of protein C concentration during venous occlusion (p=0,012). Flow-mediated brachial artery dilation in patients with C allele (genotypes AC and CC) was significantly less pronounced than in patients homozygous for the A allele (p=0,024). The data obtained are indicative of association of CC genotype with formation of both vasomotor and hemostasiological endothelial dysfunction.