Endothelin-converting enzyme-1b C-338A polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese population

BackgroundEndothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), the key enzyme responsible for endothelin-1 generation, has been linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, a genetic polymorphism (ECE-1b C-338A) located in ECE-1 gene promoter was identified. However, it is unclear whether this polymorphism is associated with the risk of CAD.MethodsWe conducted a study with CAD patients and controls matched by age and sex to examine the prevalence of ECE-1b C-338A polymorphism in CAD.ResultsThe frequencies of ECE-1b-338CC, CA, and AA genotypes in cases (40.1%, 42.2%, and 17.7%) were significantly different from those of controls (50.6%, 40.5%, and 8.9%, χ2 = 9.989, P = 0.007). Subjects with the variant genotypes (CA+ AA) had a 58% increased risk of CAD relative to CC carriers (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.07–2.32). Furthermore, the adjusted OR of AA genotype for CAD was 2.33 (95% CI = 1.25–4.35). In stratified analyses, the A allele was significantly associated with increased risk of CAD in female (adjusted OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.40–5.84) and subjects with age ≥  64 y (adjusted OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.73–5.08). Moreover, the frequency of patients with variant genotypes increased gradually from single- to triple-vessel disease although without statistical significance (P = 0.069 for trend).ConclusionOur results suggested that ECE-1b-338C to A variant might be associated with increased risk of CAD in Chinese population.