A prospective study of TaqIB polymorphism in the gene coding for cholesteryl ester transfer protein and risk of myocardial infarction in middle-aged men

Background: Molecular variations in the gene coding for the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) such as the TaqIB polymorphism are associated with higher plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration. However, whether this polymorphism is associated with risk of myocardial infarction (MI) is uncertain. Methods and results: In a prospective cohort of 14 916 apparently healthy men enrolled in the Physicians’ Health Study, allelic status for the TaqIB polymorphism in the CETP gene was determined among 384 participants who subsequently developed a first MI (cases) and among an equal number of age and smoking-matched participants who remained free of cardiovascular disease during follow-up (controls). Overall, the B2B2 genotype was present in 17% of the study participants and was associated with higher HDL cholesterol levels (mean mg/dl [±S.D.], 45±11 for the B1B1 genotype, 48±13 for the B1B2 genotype and 50±12 for the B2B2 genotype; P=0.01). However, the risk of developing MI did not differ significantly across these three genotypes. After adjustment for coronary risk factors (but not HDL), the relative risks for future MI were 1.12(95% CI 0.74−1.70) for the B1B2 genotype and 0.95(95% CI 0.54–1.66) for the B2B2 genotype, compared with the B1B1 genotype. In subgroup analysis of individuals with low HDL levels, B2B2 genotype appeared to have a lower risk of MI compared with the B1B1 genotype. However, participants with high HDL were at lower risk of developing MI regardless of their CETP genotype. Conclusions: In this prospective study of apparently healthy middle-aged US men, carriers of the B2 allele of the TaqIB in the CETP gene had higher HDL concentrations, but did not have lower risk of MI. Condensed abstract: In a cohort of apparently healthy middle-aged US men, the relation between CETP genotype and MI risk was prospectively examined in a nested case-control study. Afier adjusting for coronary risk factors (but not HDL), the 9-year risk of developing MI did not differ significantly by genotype. Comparing to the B1B1 genotype, the relative risks for future MI were 1.12 (95% CI 0.74−1.70) for the B1B2 genotype and 0.95 (95% CI 0.54–1.66) for the B2B2 genotype.