Abstract

Background and aims: There have been few epidemiological studies that have investigated genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular risk associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a strong candidate gene for coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the NPY gene rs16147 polymorphism and the presence of MetS in a well defined group of Iranian subjects with angiographically-defined CAD. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in which a total of 364 patients were recruited; 143 patients with MetS and 221 without MetS were genotyped using the ARMS-PCR technique. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) for the association of specific genotypes with the presence of MetS and related phenotypes. Results: The frequency of the variant G allele of the NPY gene was significantly higher in CAD patients without MetS (p=0.032). Compared to the AA genotype of the NPY gene, individuals carrying the GG genotype had a reduced risk of MetS (OR=0.51, 95 CI=0.27-0.95, p=0.034). Conclusion: The rs16147 polymorphism may be associated with presence of MetS among subjects with documented CAD. Carriage of NPY A allele in patients with CAD is associated with a higher prevalence of MetS. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.