The number of CAG repeats in the AR gene positively correlated with serum HDL cholesterol (partial r=0.44, P<0.001) and flow-mediated vasodilatation (partial r=0.37, P<0.001) in healthy men.
Cross-Sectional (n=110)
Does the CAG repeat polymorphism in the AR gene correlate with HDL cholesterol levels and arterial vasoreactivity in healthy men?
A lower number of CAG repeats in the AR gene is associated with lower HDL cholesterol and reduced endothelial response to ischemia, indicating a potential genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Effect estimate: partial r = 0.44 (HDL) and partial r = 0.37 (vasodilatation)
p-value: p=<0.001
Genomic effects of T are exerted via the AR. The length of the polymorphic CAG repeat sequence in the AR gene is inversely correlated with the transcriptional regulation of target genes by T. In 110 healthy men (20-50 yr), we investigated the interactions among this polymorphism, serum levels of sex hormones, cardiovascular risk factors, and flow-mediated and nitrate-induced vasodilatation of the brachial artery. The number of CAG repeat had no significant correlations with serum concentrations of total or free T. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed positive correlations of the number of CAG repeat with serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (partial r = 0.44; P < 0.001) and flow-mediated vasodilatation (partial r = 0.37; P < 0.001). The association of CAG repeat with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was independent of body fat content and serum levels of free T, which both had significant negative correlations with HDL cholesterol. The association of CAG repeat with flow-mediated vasodilatation was independent of cigarette smoking and serum levels of free T and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, which also were correlated with flow-mediated vasodilatation. We conclude that a low number of CAG repeat in the AR gene implies a greater chance for low levels of HDL cholesterol and reduced endothelial response to ischemia, which are both important risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Zitzmann et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=110). CAG repeat polymorphism in the AR gene was evaluated on Serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and flow-mediated vasodilatation (partial r = 0.44 (HDL) and partial r = 0.37 (vasodilatation), p=<0.001). The number of CAG repeats in the AR gene positively correlated with serum HDL cholesterol (partial r=0.44, P<0.001) and flow-mediated vasodilatation (partial r=0.37, P<0.001) in healthy men.