BACKGROUND: The relationship between coronary heart disease (CHD) and the paraoxonase 2 (PON2) Ser311Cys polymorphism has received much attention. We conducted a meta-analysis on the results from published case-control studies examining this relation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases until October 2015. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Stata version 11.0 software. Data were pooled using the random-effects model.

RESULTS: Nine studies were eligible for statistical analysis and included a total of 5278 participants. The results did not support an association between the Ser311Cys polymorphism and CHD in the overall populations (Asians, Caucasians, and a Hispanic mixed population) under dominant (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.91–1.28; Pz=0.413), recessive (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.72–1.95; Pz=0.500), homozygote (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.71–2.03; Pz=0.489), and allelic comparison (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.91–1.28; Pz=0.390) models. However, in subgroup analysis according to ethnicity, we found that the Ser311Cys polymorphism was associated with CHD risk in Caucasians under recessive (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.30–3.34; Pz=0.002) and homozygote (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.33–3.50; Pz=0.002) models. Subgroup analysis indicated no significant association of this polymorphism with CHD in either Asian or Hispanic populations.

CONCLUSIONS: The PON2 Ser311Cys polymorphism is associated with CHD risk in Caucasians, but there is no association between this polymorphism and CHD in Asians or Hispanic populations.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease - genetics, Aryldialkylphosphatase - genetics, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Homozygote, Models, Genetic, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics, Publication Bias, Risk Factors