Myocardial infarction marker levels are influenced by prothrombin and tumor necrosis factor-α gene polymorphisms in young patients

Polymorphisms of genes encoding key factors for the control and activation of inflammatory response and coagulation cascade regulation may play a role in genetic susceptibility to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study sought to analyze the effect of TNF −308G/A and pro-thrombin (FII) 20210G/A polymorphisms on the laboratory parameters of young patients affected by AMI. Results indicated that TNF −308A positive genotype frequencies were increased in these patients and that a genetically determined higher production of TNF-α is associated in young subjects to a more severe cardiac damage as depicted by higher levels of troponin, Creatine kinase-MB Isoenzyme (mCK-MB) and a significant increased plasma fibrinogen levels. Similar and probably additive effects on might have a genetically determined increased production of pro-thrombin even if no significant differences in genotype frequencies of pro-thrombin (FII) 20210G/A polymorphisms were observed in this study. All together these results, indicating the relationship among genetically determined TNFα and FII production and increased levels of tissue damage markers of AMI, suggest that a complex genetic background, might be involved in susceptibility to AMI in young men influencing the extension and severity of the disease.

► TNF −308G/A and pro-thrombin (FII) 20210G/A polymorphisms have been identified as genetic risk factor for AMI. ► The two SNPs are implied in influencing the troponin, Creatine kinase-MB Isoenzyme (mCK-MB) and plasma fibrinogen level. ► TNF −308A positive genotype, that determines higher production of TNF-α, is associated to a more severe cardiac damage.