T-138C polymorphism of MGP gene is associated with blood plasma cholesterol levels but not related to other risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic stroke

Aim. To analyse the association of MGP gene promotor T-138C polymorphism (rs1800802) with known risk factors of atherosclerosis and its complications (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, high body mass index, diabetes, smoking, hypercoagulability) in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) of atherothrombotic origin. Methods. Venous blood of 170 IS patients was used for genotyping. The MGP gene polymorphism was examined by PCRRFLP methodology. Results. The carriers of a minor allele (T/C + C/C) had higher total cholesterol (5.4 ± 0.19 vs 4.8 ± 0.15 mmol/l, P = 0.025) and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (3.6 ± 0.17 vs 3.0 ± 0.14 mmol/l, P = 0.008), and lower HDL-cholesterol level (0.96 ± 0,04 vs 1.1 ± 0.03 mmol/l, P = 0.029) in blood plasma than the major allele homozygotes (T/T). Conclusions. It has been found no association between T-138C polymorphism of MGP gene and known risk factors for atherosclerosis and its complications (BMI, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, hypercoagulability) in patients with IS from the northeastern region of Ukraine. IS patients with the minor allele have more pronounced atherogenic changes in blood plasma lipoproteins as compared with the major allele homozygotes.