Leucine 7 to proline 7 polymorphism of the preproneuropeptide Y gene is not associated with restenosis after coronary stenting.

OBJECTIVE

To identify if an association exists between the leucine 7 (Leu7) to proline 7 (Pro7) polymorphism located in the signal peptide of the preproneuropeptide Y (preproNPY) gene and restenosis after coronary stenting. The Pro7 allele of the preproNPY gene affects the plasma levels of human neuropeptide Y, a potent mitogen of vascular smooth muscle cells.

METHODS

A population of 1850 consecutive patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease undergoing coronary stent implantation was enrolled in a study that featured angiography at 6 months and genotype determination. The primary endpoint was angiographically documented restenosis (> or =50% diameter stenosis) at 6 months. The secondary endpoint was the clinical outcome at 1 year (death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization). Genotyping was based on the polymerase chain reaction with fluorescent allele-specific oligonucleotide probes (TaqMan method).

RESULTS

The carrier frequency of the rare Pro7 allele was 6.2%. Baseline, lesion-related, angiographic, and procedural parameters were similar in the patients with the Leu7/Leu7 genotype and carriers of the Pro7 allele (i.e., subjects with genotype Leu7/Pro7 or Pro7/Pro7). Restenosis rates at 6 months did not differ significantly between the groups (33% versus 30%, p=0.54). In addition, no relationship of the polymorphism with the clinical outcomes at 1 year was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the Leu7 to Pro7 polymorphism of the preproNPY gene is not associated with angiographic restenosis or adverse clinical events after stent placement in coronary arteries.