Association Between Apelin Gene −1860T>C (rs56204867) Polymorphism and Coronary Artery Disease in a Syrian Cohort

Maisaa Hassan Abd-Alkareem,1 Hussam Eddin Mohammed Shibli,2 Faizeh Ali Alquobaili1 1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab RepublicCorrespondence: Maisaa Hassan Abd-Alkareem, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, Tel +963-33335140, Email [email protected]: Apelin is a secreted peptide hormone involved in vasodilation, fluid homeostasis, and angiogenesis, and is therefore considered an important regulator of cardiovascular physiology. The APLN T-1860C (rs56204867) polymorphism is a genetic variation in the promoter region of the apelin gene (APLN) that is associated with increased susceptibility to cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the apelin gene − 1860T>C single-nucleotide polymorphism, plasma apelin levels, and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Syrian population.Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted, comprising 108 CAD patients and 114 healthy controls. Plasma apelin levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apelin − 1860T>C gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).Results: Our findings reveal that mean plasma apelin levels were significantly lower in CAD patients (2737.81 ± 1205.01 pg/mL) compared to controls (4258.73 ± 2119.12 pg/mL; p < 0.001). Notably, these levels did not correlate with any of the other anthropometric parameters studied. In females, the frequencies of the TC genotype (30.5% vs 10.5%, p = 0.041, odds ratio [OR] = 3.75) and the mutant C allele (15.2% vs 5.2%, p = 0.043, OR = 3.256) were significantly higher in CAD patients than in controls. Whereas no significant differences were observed in male subjects. Although the plasma apelin level was lower in patients and controls with the TC genotype, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the APLN − 1860T>C polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of CAD in the Syrian population, particularly among females, suggesting a sex-specific genetic predisposition. Furthermore, reduced plasma apelin levels in patients suggest that apelin may play an independent role in the development of CAD, warranting further exploration. The infographic illustrates the association between the Apelin gene -1860T>C SNP and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. It shows a comparison between CAD patients (n = 108) and control group (n = 114), highlighting factors like smoking and hypertension. A bar graph compares Apelin concentration in control and CAD groups, with a significant difference marked by an asterisk (p < 0.05). A table lists genotypes: TT (70 percent CAD, 90 percent control), TC (31 percent CAD, 11 percent control) and CC (0 percent for both). The association section indicates that TC and CC genotypes are linked to increased CAD risk, with the C allele associated with lower Apelin levels. The diagram includes visual representations of DNA and arteries to emphasize genetic and health implications.Infographic on Apelin gene SNP and CAD risk in patients and controls.Keywords: apelin − 1860T>C gene polymorphism, coronary artery disease, single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNP, Syrian population, PCR-RFLP, plasma apelin levels