RESUMO
Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-specific protein that influences atherosclerosis by its anti-inflammatory properties though modulating cellular processes involved in foam cell formation and by affecting the balance of atherogenic and antiatherogenic lipoproteins in plasma; thus, the adiponectin gene is a potential candidate for the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease [CAD]. In the present work, we studied the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] in the adiponectin gene [+276 G>T] as well as plasma adiponectin levels and CAD in a sample of Egyptian patients. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] method was used to determine the distribution of genotype frequency of the SNP +276G>T in the adiponectin gene and an ELISA was used to determine plasma adiponectin levels, in the current study, we showed a significant difference between patients with CAD and controls as regard adiponectin +276 genotype distribution as well as plasma adiponectin level. Genotypes G/T and G/G represented 79% of CAD patients versus 35.7% of the controls [p<0.05] and plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in CAD patients than controls [p<0.001]. A significant association between adiponectin SNP at locus 276 and adiponectin level in patients with CAD was observed, with genotype G/G showing the lowest levels, genotype T/T the highest levels, and genotype G/T intermediate levels [p< 0.01]. The adiponectin SNP as well as low adiponectin in CAD was associated with an atherogenic lipid profile and was not affected by the presence or absence of diabetes. In conclusion, the +276 G>T polymorphism can help to identify patients at increased risk of CAD, so that early preventive measures can be undertaken. Adiponectin can he also used as a screening tool, but further research is needed to assess the beneficial effect of modifying its level and its potential therapeutic role