The Association of Arginase 1 Gene Polymorphisms and Determination of Arginase Activity Levels among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Babylon Governorate

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a severe condition that occurs when there is a blockage in blood flow to the heart muscle. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the serum arginase activity levels and the association between arginase 1 gene polymorphism [rs2781666 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)] in patients with AMI compared with a healthy control group (CG). Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 90 patients with AMI, divided into two groups based on the type of AMI. Group 1 (G1) consisted of 45 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI; STEMI), whereas Group 2 (G2) included 45 patients with non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI). Additionally, a CG of 90 apparently healthy participants was included. The study was conducted from February 2022 to February 2023 at the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, and Marjan Medical City in Hilla City, Iraq. Serum arginase activity was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and arginase 1 gene polymorphism was analyzed through restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: The results showed a significant increase in arginase activity in both STEMI and NSTEMI groups compared with the CG, and an association between the rs2781666 SNPs in the arginase 1 gene and both STEMI and NSTEMI was observed. Conclusion: This study concludes that AMI patients exhibit higher arginase activity with a greater increase in G1 than in G2. The rs2781666 SNPs in the arginase 1 gene are associated with MI. These findings suggested the role of these markers in the development of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and the occurrence of MI.