Association between the rs2279238 of the Liver X receptor alpha gene polymorphism and advanced carotid atherosclerosis in the Slovenian cohort

•The LXRA gene is crucial for the metabolism and homeostasis of cholesterol and lipids.•LXRA gene rs2279238 polymorphism could indirectly affect on carotid atherosclerosis.•The rs2279238 polymorphism has a significant association with carotid atherosclerosis.•In our study, TT genotype rs2279238 was associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Liver X receptor alpha (LXRA) plays important role in cholesterol and lipid homeostasis and lipid metabolism; moreover, it has been investigated as a candidate gene in a number of conditions, including onset and progression of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the LXRA gene rs2279238 polymorphism may be associated with the onset and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in the Slovenian cohort. 783 unrelated Slovenian patients were included in this cross-sectional case-control study: 308 patients in the group of cases with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (>75 %) and 475 patients with hemodynamically insignificant ICA stenosis (