Variants of PCSK9 Gene Are Associated with Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Mexicans. The GEA Project.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic, inflammatory, and complex disease associated with vascular risk factors. Nowadays, the coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific marker of the presence and extent of atherosclerosis. Additionally, CAC is a predictor of future coronary events in asymptomatic individuals diagnosed with subclinical atherosclerosis (CAC > 0). In this study, our aim is to evaluate the participation of two polymorphisms of the PCSK9 gene as genetic markers for developing subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic risk factors in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: We analyzed two PCSK9 polymorphisms (rs2479409 and rs615563) in 394 individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis and 1102 healthy controls using real time- polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Under various inheritance models adjusted for different confounding factors, the rs2479409 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis (OR = 1.53, P recessive = 0.041). Both polymorphisms were significantly associated with several cardiometabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that rs2479409 polymorphism could be envisaged as a risk marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.