Variants of resistin gene and the risk of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Pakistan

BACKGROUND: In cardiovascular disease phenotypes, a genetic factor is an important determinant of both familial and non-familial dilated cardiomyopathies. Resistin is a novel adipocyte derived peptide, associated with inflammation and suggested to be involved in contractile abnormalities of cardiomyocytes. METHODS: In this study, we examined the association of the RETN SNPs in − 420 and + 299 in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Patients with IDCM (n = 250) and healthy controls (n = 250) were enrolled in this study. RETN genotyping was performed by using PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: RETN − 420C > G and + 299G > A polymorphisms were significantly more prevalent in patient group vs. controls (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0007, respectively). GG genotype at − 420 and AA genotype at + 299 were higher in the patient group compared with healthy controls (OR = 11.4, P < 0.0001, and OR = 2.3, P = 0.030, respectively). We found that the − 420G allele increased the risk of developing IDCM in patients (P < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant difference between G and A alleles at RETN + 299 from IDCM cases and controls (P = 0.0032). The RETN − 420G and + 299A haplotypes were more prevalent in the patient vs. control group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the RETN − 420C > G and + 299G > A polymorphisms may have a role in the pathogenesis of IDCM.