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BackgroundMutation in SCARB1 gene, exon 8 rs5888, has been associated with altered lipid levels and cardiovascular risk in humans though the results have been inconsistent. We analysed the impact of SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs5888 with plasma lipid profile and association with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Lithuanian population characterized by high morbidity and mortality from CAD and high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia.MethodsThe study included 1976 subjects from a random sample (reference group) and an myocardial infarction (MI) group of 463 patients. Genotyping of SCARB1 (rs5888) was carried out using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method.Results/principal findingsAnalysis of rs5888 C/T gene polymorphism in the reference group revealed that male TT genotype carriers (25–74 years) had significantly higher total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (5.70 mmol/l vs. 5.49 mmol/l; p = 0.036, and 1.70 mmol/l vs. 1.40 mmol/l, p = 0.023, respectively) than CT carriers and the oldest males (65–74 years) TT carriers had significantly higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in comparison to heterozygous (1.52 mmol/l vs. 1.36 mmol/l, p = 0.033). The youngest female (25–44 years) TT genotype carriers had significantly lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in comparison to C homozygous (2.59 mmol/l vs. 2.92 mmol/l, p = 0.023). The frequency of the SCARB1 TT genotype in the oldest male MI group (65–74 years) was significantly lower than in the corresponding reference group subjects (9.4% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.006). SCARB1 TT genotype was associated with decreased odds of MI in males aged 65–75 years (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.10-0.56, p = 0.001).Conclusions/significanceSCARB1 polymorphism is associated with lipid metabolism and CAD in an age- and gender- dependent manner. Analysis of SCARB1 SNP rs5888 C/T genotypes revealed an atheroprotective phenotype of lipid profile in older men and in young women TT genotype carriers in the reference group. SCARB1 TT genotype was associated with decreased odds of MI in aged men.

Only MMP-9 Rs3918242 (C->T) single nucleotide polymorphism was found to play a significant role in the development of AMD, and the effect was more pronounced at the age of less than 65 years.

A substantial number of patients are still not offered any reperfusion therapy in many Eastern European countries with economy in transition, and this was associated with increased 30-day mortality. Time from symptoms onset to admission >12 h was the highest ranking among factors related to lack of reperfusion therapy. Quality improvement efforts should focus on minimizing delay to hospital admission among STEMI patients.

Introduction: The development of left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction is a predictor of heart failure and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the polymorphism of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene with threonine (T) instead of methionine (M) at amino acid 235 in exon 2 (M235T) had effects on cardiac remodelling after acute myocardial infarction. Methods: One hundred and forty-one patients (mean age 56.4±11.1 years) with a first acute myocardial infarction were enrolled. Within 24-72 hours of the onset of the symptoms and at a four month period two-dimensional echocardiography was performed. Remodelling was defined as a 20% increase from the baseline in left ventricular end-diastolic volume. The genotypes of the study group were compared with the reference group (n=1010) genotypes. AGT M235T polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification. Results: At follow-up, 49 patients (34.7%) were classified as having left ventricular remodelling. Anterior localization of the infarct (p=0.008), leucocyte count at admission (p=0.040), global left ventricular longitudinal strain (p=0.021) and MM genotype of AGT (p=0.024) were independent predictors of ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Anterior wall infarction, increased leucocyte count, decreased longitudinal strain of left ventricular and polymorphism of AGT M235T may predict remodelling after myocardial infarction.