Molecular-Genetic Analysis of Genetic Predisposition to Myocardial Infarction and Comparison of Risk Factor Population Rates in Different Countries

Factor V Leiden and Protrombin G20210A mutations as well as some gene polymorphisms, such as Val34Leu of the coagulation factor XIII, 4G/5G of PAI-1 gene and Thr312Ala of fibrinogen alpha chain have been investigated as risk factors of myocardial infarction (MI). The methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specially designed allele specific primers were used to determine polymorphisms and mutations. DNA extracted from lymphocytes or dried bloodspots was used as matrix for PCR. Blood samples of 175 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 270 people of the control group were investigated. It was obtained that the rate of Thr312Ala heterozygotes among patients with myocardial infarction was 1.3 times as high as in the control group. The frequency of Factor V Leiden and G20210 mutations in patients with myocardial infarction was more than 2 times as high as in the control group. Leu/Leu genotype was shown to be responsible for risk of myocardial infarction development too (OR = 2.02). According to our data 4G/4G genotype of the PAI-1 gene may be predisposing to the myocardial infarction and 5G/5G one – protecting. Population frequencies of MI genetic risk factors in Belarus population have been established. The comparison of MI predisposition genotypes frequencies with the levels of this disease in different countries of Europe has been performed. We revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the frequencies of MI morbidity and 4G/4G genotype. At the same time, there was no statistically significant correlation between frequencies of other risk factors and MI frequency. The obtained data allows conclusion that PAI-1 gene genotype 4G/4G is the most informative for evaluation of genetic predisposition to MI.