Correlation of FXIII Val34Leu Polymorphism with Decreased Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Egypt

Aim: Factor XIII is a transglutaminase that crosslinks fibrin in the last steps of the coagulation process. A few polymorphic sites have been identified in this gene, one of them being a point mutation (FXIII Val34Leu), leading to an amino acid change of valine to leucine. Several studies were published on the association between FXIII 34Leu allele and a decreased incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) with high controversy results dependent on the population. The aim of our study was to further investigate the possible protective role of the FXIII 34Leu allele polymorphism against acute MI in Egyptian patients.
Study Design: Clinical examination by cardiologist specialists, blood test for biochemical markers and DNA genotyping using specific molecular sensing probes in Real Time PCR.
Place and Duration of Study: Patients were recruited from consecutive admission to the coronary care unit, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt.
Material and Methods: Total 107 subjects were recruited and subdivided into two main groups; patients (82) and control group (25). On admission, the following data were fulfilled: age, smoking, history of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HTN), family history of MI. Clinical examination: Blood pressure and Body Mass Index calculation were done and for patients a short outcome prognosis was done using left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF). Routine laboratory investigations for recruited groups including fasting and postprandial glucose level, Triglycerides, total Cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were carried out. Factor XIII Val34Leu was genotyped for all the recruited subjects using site specific molecular probes in real time PCR.
Results: Obtained data were analyzed using OD and CI values, Pearson correlation coefficient Inter-correlations and Regression analysis model that showed insignificant association between FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism and MI patients.
Conclusion: FXIII 34Leu variant has no association with reduced incidence of myocardial infarction in Egyptian patients.