Association of the −1031 T > C polymorphism and soluble TNF-α levels with Acute Coronary Syndrome

•The polymorphic variant −1031 C of TNFA gene confers ACS protection.•T/C+C/C ACS carriers had 2.31 times greater chance of developing dyslipidemia.•Soluble TNF-α levels were higher in ACS than the RG.•T/C carriers showed higher sTNF-α levels compared with T/T homozygotes in ACS.•Serum TNF-α concentration was similar among UA, NSTEMI and STEMI.

IntroductionInflammation has gained a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that could be a potential biomarker in ACS due to its multiple functions. The rs1799964 TNFA polymorphism (−1031 T > C) has been associated with a decrease in gene transcription and cytokine levels.ObjectiveTo determine the association of rs1799964 TNFA polymorphism and TNF-α soluble levels in ACS.MethodsA total of 251 patients diagnosed with ACS and 164 individuals without cardiovascular diseases classified as the reference group (RG), were included. The rs1799964 polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Soluble protein levels were determined by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using chi square and U-Mann Whitney tests.ResultsThe genotype and allele frequencies were different between ACS and RG (OR = 0.317, p = 0.01; OR = 0.688, p = 0.03 respectively). ACS patients had higher soluble TNF-α levels compared with the RG (31.08 vs 23.00 pg/mL, p < 0.001); according genotype significant differences were observed (T/T: 24.06 vs T/C: 34.95 pg/mL, p = 0.0001) in patients. In the RG, T/T carriers showed discrete lower levels than C/C genotype (22.14 vs 27.83 pg/mL, p = 0.04).ConclusionsThe −1031 C allele of the TNFA polymorphism confers protection for the development of ACS. The T/C genotype carriers had higher TNF-α serum levels compared to the T/T genotype in ACS. In addition, the −1031 T > C TNFA polymorphism was associated with dyslipidemia in ACS in a Western Mexican population.