ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene R219K polymorphisms with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 250 patients with AF and 250 control subjects were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the ABCA1 genotype, and the serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in all the subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of the RR , RK , KK , allele R , allele K genotype of ABCA1 in AF group and control group was 42.0%, 42.8%, 15.2%, 34.0%, 43.2% and 22.8%, 63.4%, 36.6%, 55.6%, 44.4%, respectively. The frequency of the KK genotype was significantly higher in the control group than in the case group (P=0.03), and the frequency of the allele K genotype was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.012). The serum CRP concentrations was significantly higher in AF group than in the control group (P=0.004), but serum HDL-C level showed no difference between the two groups. The serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with RR genotype than in those with KK genotype (P=0.013), and patients with RR genotype had significantly lower HDL-C level than those with RK and KK genotypes (P=0.009 and 0.027, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with AF have elevated serum CRP level in comparison with healthy individuals, and the K allele of R219K polymorphism is an independent protective factor against AF.</p>