Clin Nutr Res.  2016 Oct;5(4):249-260. 10.7762/cnr.2016.5.4.249.

Association between Genetic Variations Affecting Mean Telomere Length and the Prevalence of Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease in Koreans

• Paik JK
• Kang R
• Cho Y
• Shin MJ

• KMID: 2355297
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2016.5.4.249

Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with telomere length (TL) were associated with the incidence of hypertension (HTN)/coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular risk factors in the Korean population. Data from 5,705 (ages 39-70) participants in the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (rural Ansung and urban Ansan cohorts) were studied. Twelve SNPs known to be associated with telomere biology were tested for an association with HTN/CHD. As results, no significant associations were found between the selected TL-related SNPs and prevalence of HTN and CHD. Among non-alcohol users, subjects with minor alleles in rs1269304 and rs10936601 (TERC and LRRC34, respectively) exhibited a higher rate of CHD occurrence (odds ratio [OR], 1.862; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.137, 3.049; OR, 1.855; 95% CIs, 1.111, 2.985; respectively). However, alcohol users with minor alleles in rs398652 (PELI2) were significantly associated with higher HTN prevalence (OR, 1.179; 95% CIs, 1.040, 1.336). Of the 3 SNPs related to disease outcomes, rs1296304 was significantly associated with increased levels of diastolic blood pressure (β estimate, 0.470; 95% CIs, 0.013, 0.926). The minor allele in rs398652 was significantly associated with higher levels of body mass index (OR, 0.128; 95% CIs, 0.010, 0.246) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (OR, 0.013; 95% CIs, 0.001, 0.024). In conclusion, there were no significant associations between the selected TL-related SNPs and the occurrence of HTN/CHD in Koreans. However, the results suggest the presence of a possible interaction between related SNPs and alcohol behavior associated with HTN/CHD occurrence.

Keyword

Telomere length; Genetic variants; Hypertension; Coronary heart disease; Korean Genome Epidemiology Study

MeSH Terms

Alleles
Biology
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Coronary Disease*
Epidemiology
Genetic Variation*
Genome
Gyeonggi-do
Heart Diseases
Hypertension*
Incidence
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Prevalence*
Risk Factors
Telomere*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Association between disease prevalence and telomere related genotypes according to alcohol status. The forest plot was based on estimates from logistic regressions after adjustment for sex, age, area, body mass index, education level, physical activity, and smoking. In case of analysis within the non-alcohol users, previous alcohol use was additionally included in the regression model. *Indicated statistical significance at level of p < 0.05.

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