Cytochrome b-245 Alpha Chain Gene Variants and Arterial Function in Indonesian Short Stature Children

BACKGROUND: The association between short stature, undernutrition and the risk to cardiovascular disease has been clinically established. Genetic factor, particularly the variants in cytochrome b-245 alpha chain (CYBA) gene, which alter the formation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase level, might affect arterial function. This study aimed to observe the association between single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the CYBA gene and the arterial function of short stature children to understand the reason why some people with short stature develop cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A total of 142 genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples have been collected from short stature children in Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia. Four common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): C242T (rs4673), A640G (rs1049255), -930A>G (rs9932581) and *49A>G (rs7195830) in the CYBA gene were examined using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The arterial function was measured using transthoracic echocardiography and described as aortic stiffness and distensibility index. Statistical analysis was done to find a significant difference in arterial function between genotypes of each SNV. RESULTS: A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. In rs9932581 (-930A>G) of CYBA gene, the subjects with GG genotype were found to have significantly lower arterial stiffness and higher distensibility compared to AA and AG genotypes. No significant difference was found in the other SNVs. CONCLUSION: The GG genotype in rs9932581 of the CYBA gene might have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease in short stature children.