BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene polymorphism –629C/A on the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin and clinical outcome in Han Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2011 to December 2012, 348 patients with angiographically confirmed CHD were recruited. CETP gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum level of CETP was determined with enzyme-1inked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lipid 1evel in all patients was determined at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with 20 mg/d of atorvastatin. All the patients were followed-up at least 12 months. Major adverse cardiac events, including death, non-fatal infarction, revascularization, and stroke (MACE), were recorded.

RESULTS: The frequency of the –629A allele was 0.412. Compared with CC or CA genotypes, individuals with AA genotype had lower CETP levels (P=0.026) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (P=0.035). After 12 months of atorvastatin therapy, carriers with CC genotype had greater reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.001), reduced LP (a) (P=0.005), and elevated HDL-C (P=0.045) compared with CA or AA genotypes. The incidence of MACE after a mean follow-up of 17.3±5.2 months was 8.8%. The cumulative MACE-free survival rates were 90.1%, 85.2%, and 71.1% for CC, CA, and AA genotypes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the AA variant of the –629A allele of CETP gene had higher HDL-C levels and reduced CETP levels, but patients with CC genotype appeared to have benefited more from statin therapy with reduction in LDL-C and LP (a) levels. Long-term clinical prognosis was, however, not affected by the 3 genotypes.

Keywords: China - epidemiology, Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins - genetics, Coronary Artery Disease - mortality, Follow-Up Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Heptanoic Acids - therapeutic use, Hypolipidemic Agents - therapeutic use, Lipids - blood, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics, Pyrroles - therapeutic use, Survival Rate