Correlations between lipoprotein(a) gene polymorphisms and calcific aortic valve disease and coronary heart disease in Han Chinese

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lipoprotein(a) gene (LPA) polymorphisms and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Han Chinese. METHODS: A total of 148 patients were recruited (n = 71 with CAVD and n = 77 with CHD) based on a diagnosis achieved using color Doppler echocardiography, coronary angiography, or computed tomography angiography. Seventy-one control individuals without CAVD or CHD were also recruited. Biomarkers including levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B were tested. LPA polymorphisms rs10455872, rs6415084, rs3798221, and rs7770628 were analyzed using SNaPshot SNP. RESULTS: Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in CAVD and CHD groups compared with controls. There was no significant difference in the allelic frequency distribution of rs3798221, rs7770628, or rs6415084 between CHD, CAVD, and control groups. Linear regression showed that rs3798221, rs7770628, and rs6415084 were associated with increased Lp(a) concentrations. Two CAVD patients among the 219 participants carried AG minor alleles at rs10455872, while the remainder carried AA minor alleles. CONCLUSION: rs3798221, rs6415084, and rs7770628 polymorphisms within LPA are associated with higher Lp(a) plasma levels, which correlate with increased CAVD and CHD risks.