Polymorphism And Plasma Level Of TGF-β1 Are Associated With Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction In The Chinese

As one of the leading causes of death and disability, atherosclerotic cerebral infarction is associated with a significant economic burden to families and societies in China. Therefore, it is important for us to study the pathologic mechanism of ACI and to provide novel therapy to stroke. Recent researches showed that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can regulate the plasma level of lipids and take part in inflammatory process, which illustrates that TGF-β1 may play an important role in the genesis of atherosclerosis (AS). We speculate that TGF-β1 is associated with ACI. Furthermore, recently epidemiological studies show that gene mutation of TGF-β1 is one of the risk factors of ACI, however, the exact mechanisms associated with the mutation of TGF-β1 to induce ACI are still mainly unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequencies of TGF-β1 gene polymorphism in Han people in Guangdong region and to clarify the relationship among TGF-β1 gene polymorphism, plasma level of TGF-β1, plasma lipid profile and ACI.ObjectiveWe firstly studied the relationship between TGF-β1 polymorphism and the risk of ACI by detecting the frequencies of TGF-β1 -509C/T allele and genotypes, plasma level of TGF-β1 and lipids, common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness of carotid artery (IMT), and carotid artery plaque (CAP) in the Chinese Han people. MethodsWe recruited 182 ACI patients, confirmed by cranial computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging/angiography, or both, and 181 control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was used to detect -509C/T polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene. Double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the concentrations of TGF-β1 in plasma. We analyze triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in plasma by automatic biochemical analyzer and analyze the situation of IMT and CAP by color doppler ultrasonography.ResultsThe frequencies of the TT genotype and T allele gene were significantly higher in the ACI group (P=0.007,P=0.006). In ACI group, the plasma level of TG in the individuals with TT genotype was significantly higher than in the individuals with CC or CT genotype.The plasma concentration of TGF-β1, CCA-IMT and CAP in ACI group with different genotypes of TGF-β1 gene -509C/T had no significant difference (P>0.05). The plasma concentration of TGF-β1 was lower in ACI group than in control group. (P=0.003).ConclusionOur study suggests that TGF-β1 gene polymorphism[0] at -509C/T is associated with plasma lipid profile and ACI. TGF-β1 in plasma has probably a protective effect for ACI.