Association of heme oxygenase-1 gene rs2071746 polymorphism with vascular outcomes in patients with atherosclerotic stroke

• The incidence of primary endpoint was lower in rs2071746 A allele carriers.
• rs2071746 A allele carrier was an protect factor for atherosclerosis stroke.
• Age and low level of HDL were risk factors for atherosclerosis stroke.
• Further studies are required to confirm the results.

As an inducible isoform of heme oxygenase (HO), HO-1 was suggested to have an anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effect. It was regarded as an important cytoprotective enzyme. We undertook this study to investigate whether HO-1 gene rs2071746 polymorphism was associated with clinical outcomes in atherosclerosis ischemic stroke patients. Between December 2009 and October 2012, consecutive atherosclerosis ischemic stroke patients were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the composite of vascular death, nonfatal ischemic stroke and myocardial infarct. A total of 961 patients were enrolled. After an average follow-up of 15.13 (SD = 7.42) months, 89 patients (9.26%) had the primary endpoint. The cumulative incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in A carriers (AT + AA) than TT genotype (7.9% vs. 12.2%, HR = 0.648, 95% CI: 0.425–0.988, P = 0.044). After adjustment for age, sex and other cardiovascular risk factors, we found that A carrier was an independent protective factor for atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (HR = 0.646, 95% CI: 0.420–0.994, P = 0.047). Age (HR = 1.023, P = 0.028) and low level of HDL (HR = 1.772, P = 0.012) were independent risk factors for the primary endpoint. In conclusion, HO-1 gene rs2071746 A allele carrier might be a protective factor for patients with atherosclerotic stroke.