E-selectin S128R polymorphism and severe coronary artery disease in Arabs

BACKGROUND: The E-selectin p. S128R (g. A561C) polymorphism has been associated with the presence of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) in some populations, but no data is currently available on its association with CAD in Arabs. METHODS: In the present study, we determined the potential relevance of the E-selectin S128R polymorphism for severe CAD and its associated risk factors among Arabs. We genotyped Saudi Arabs for this polymorphism by PCR, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: The polymorphism was determined in 556 angiographically confirmed severe CAD patients and 237 control subjects with no CAD as established angiographically (CON). Frequencies of the S/S, S/R and R/R genotypes were found as 81.1%, 16.6% and 2.3% in CAD patients and 87.8%, 11.8%, and 0.4% in CON subjects, respectively. The frequency of the mutant 128R allele was higher among CAD patients compared to CON group (11% vs. 6%; odds ratio = 1.76; 95% CI 1.14 – 2.72; p = .007), thus indicating a significant association of the 128R allele with CAD among our population. However, the stepwise logistic regression for the 128R allele and different CAD risk factors showed no significant association. CONCLUSION: Among the Saudi population, The E-selectin p. S128R (g. A561C) polymorphism was associated with angiographic CAD in Univariate analysis, but lost its association in multivariate analysis.