BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. It is a multi-factorial disease and several studies have demonstrated that the genetic factors play a major role in CAD. Although variations in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene are reported to be associated with CAD, this gene has not been studied in South Indian populations. Hence we evaluated the CETP gene variations in CAD patients of South Indian origin.MethodsWe sequenced all the exons, exon-intron boundaries and UTRs of CETP in 323 CAD patients along with 300 ethnically and age matched controls. Variations observed in CETP were subjected to various statistical analyses.Results and DiscussionOur analysis revealed a total of 13 variations. Of these, one3’UTRvariant rs1801706 (c.*84G>A) was significantly associated with CAD (genotype association test: OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.50–3.10, p = 1.88x10-5 and allelic association test: OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.40–2.63, p = 2.57x10-5). Mutant allele “A” was observed to influence the higher concentration of mRNA (p = 7.09×10−3, R2 = 0.029 and β = 0.2163). Since expression of CETP has been shown to be positively correlated with the risk of CAD, higher frequency of “A” allele (patients: 22.69% vs.controls: 13%) reveals that c.*84G>A is a risk factor for CAD in South Indians.ConclusionsThis is the first report of the CETP gene among South Indians CAD patients. Our results suggest that rs1801706 (c.*84G>A) is a risk factor for CAD in South Indian population.

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Background & objectives:The genesis of atherosclerotic lesions, a major cardiovascular risk factor starts in the early stage of life. If the premature development of cardiovascular risk factors can be anticipated during childhood, cardiovascular events can be prevented effectively by taking appropriate measures. This study was carried out to assess the role of in utero malnutrition in cardiovascular disease development by comparing cord blood lipid profiles and serum insulin levels between small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) term newborns.Methods:Consecutive full-term infants who were born between June 20 and August 19, 2013, at the Obstetric Unit of a Hospital at Secunderabad, India, were enrolled in this study. Participating newborns were divided into SGA group (n = 51; test group) and AGA group (n = 52; control group) based on their gestational age and body weight. Cord blood lipid profile and insulin levels were compared between these two groups.Results:As compared to the newborns in AGA group, SGA group of newborns had significantly (P<0.01) higher levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein. No difference was observed between the groups for high-density lipoprotein and insulin levels. Mild and moderate anaemia was observed among mothers of both groups, while severe anaemia was seen in mothers of SGA group only.Interpretation & conclusions:SGA newborns exhibited elevated lipid profiles as compared to AGA newborns. Hence, SGA newborns should be closely monitored for cardiovascular morbidities during childhood, adolescence and early adult life.

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