Human C-reactive protein (CRP) gene 1059 G > C polymorphism is associated with plasma CRP concentration in patients receiving coronary angiography

Background/Purpose: Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. The 1059 G > C polymorphism in exon 2 of the CRP gene has been shown to affect plasma concentration of CRP. We want to elucidate the effect of this polymorphism on the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) among the Chinese population in Taiwan. Methods: We scrutinized 536 patients undergoing coronary angiography (365 patients with CAD and 171 controls with patent coronaries) and evaluated the association of CRP gene 1059 G > C polymorphism with CAD. Genotyping of the polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction and MaeIII restriction enzyme digestion. Results: The CC genotype was associated with lower plasma CRP concentration (GG, 6.5±5.8, GC, 3.3 ± 4.4; CC, 2.3±3.1 mg/L; p= 0.02). Subjects with CAD or myocardial infarction (MI) had significantly higher plasma CRP concentration than that in controls (CAD vs. controls, 8.9±18.9 vs. 3.3±7.2 mg/L; p<0.001), while patients with MI showed higher CRP when compared to those with chronic stable angina (13.5 ±22.9 vs. 5.2±14.1 mg/L; p <0.001). However, this polymorphism was not associated with CAD in our population. Conclusion: Our data suggest that human CRP gene 1059 G>C polymorphism is associated with plasma CRP concentration among Chinese in Taiwan receiving coronary angiography.