Abstract
Introduction: The polymorphisms of beta-fibrinogen gene are now suggested to affect plasma fibrinogen
levels and the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD).
Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the two polymorphisms of G\
A455 and C\A148 with beta fibrinogen gene and the increased risk for premature CAD among a sample
of Iranian population.
Patients and Methods: This case-control association study was conducted on 100 consecutive patients
suffering premature coronary artery disease as the cases and 100 healthy individuals without any evidence
of coronary involvement. Patients were randomly selected and adjusted for gender and age. Determining
different genotypic patterns of the G\A455 and C\A148 SNPs were carried out by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.
Results: The mean level of serum fibrinogen was 354.32±93.85 mg/dL in the case group and 303.43 ±
84.51 mg/dL in the control group, indicating the abnormally increased level of fibrinogen in 68% and
30% respectively with a significant difference (P<0.001). Overall, the mean level of fibrinogen was
significantly higher in the smoker group than in the non-smoker group (P=0.032). Regarding the frequency
of C/T148 alleles, in the case group, 82% had C allele and 18% had T allele of the polymorphisms. The
rate of these alleles in the control group was 83% and 17% respectively with no significant difference
(P=0.852). Similarly, the frequency of the alleles A and G of G\A455 polymorphism was 87% and 13%
in the case group and 89% and 11% in the control group respectively with no significant difference
(P=0.663).
Conclusion: There is no association between G\A455 and C\A148 polymorphisms with beta-fibrinogen
gene and presence of CAD. However, the increased level of serum fibrinogen can effectively predict CAD.