Association Of OPG Gene Polymorphism With Ischemic Stroke Etiological Subtypes

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between OPG gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke(IS) etiological subtypes, as well as the extent and distribution of cerebral atherosclerosis(AS). Methods Patients with ischemic stroke including 285 cases of large-artery atherosclerosis(LAA) and 91 cases of small lacunar(SAO), 42 patients with purely cerebral atherosclerosis, and 165 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. LAA group was respectively divided into 3 subgroups according to the number or the distribution of stenostic vessels. Genotyping of three SNPs(rs2073617, rs3134069, and rs3102735)of the OPG gene, was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphis(PCR—RFLP). Results Regarding the three SNPs of OPG gene, the frequence of genotype CC/CT and the prevalence of al ele C of rs3102735 were higher in the LAA group contrasting with the control group(P<0.05). However, comparisons of other frequences of genotypes or alleles did not reveal any significant differences(P>0.05) among the LAA group, the SAO group, the AS group and the control group, as well as among different subgroups of LAA group. Haplotype analysis revealed that the frequencies of haplotype C-C-T in LAA group and SAO group were significant lower, while that of haplotype T-A-C in LAA group and of haplotype C-C-C in SAO group were significant higher, compared with controls.Conclusion Our findings indicate OPG gene polymorphisms may be associated with increased susceptibility to ischemic stroke, especially to LAA in Han population in Shandong province. But we failed to show association of OPG gene with the extent and distribution of cerebral atherosclerosis lesions.