Angiotensinogen T174M and M235T gene polymorphisms are associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis

Background: The relations of the angiotensinogen (AGT) T174M and M235T gene polymorphisms to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) have been investigated in only a few studies with conflicting results. Results: Therefore, we analysed the relationship of the AGT gene polymorphisms to the presence and extent of CHD in 2250 male Caucasians whose coronary anatomy was defined by means of coronary angiography. The relative frequencies of the T and M alleles of the T174M and of the M235T gene variation did not significantly differ between patients without or with single-, double- or triple-vessel disease and between subjects without or with myocardial infarction (MI). In contrast the mean CHD score–defined by Gensini–was higher within MM homozygotes of the T174M gene variation than within TT genotypes; TM subjects had intermediate values. In M235T genotypes, mean CHD scores were similar in the total sample and in older individuals (≥62 years), whereas in younger individuals (