CYP2C19*2 polymorphism influenced response to clopidogrel treatment but was not related to restenosis in atherosclerotic smokers

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is an important cardiovascular disease due to its high mortality rate worldwide. Risk factors such as chronic use of cigarettes, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes mellitus and genetic factors significantly contribute to the disease. The CYP2C19 gene is a well-studied target for cardiovascular disease treatment. Polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene, which encodes cytochrome P450 enzymes, may result in inefficiency of the drug clopidogrel. Identification of CYP2C19 polymorphisms may improve preventive treatment and the prognosis of the disease. We investigated if the CYP2C19*2 polymorphism influences the onset of restenosis in smokers. We analyzed 200 patient blood samples from the Cardiology and Peripheral Vascular Surgery clinics of hospitals in Goiânia, Brazil. The DNA samples were submitted to PCR amplification and the product obtained was submitted to electrophoresis. We found that 34% of the atherosclerotic smokers had stents, and 46% of them developed restenosis. The frequency of the CYP2C19*2 polymorphism showed that 34% of atherosclerotic smokers who had at least one polymorphic allele had a stent and 45% of these patients developed restenosis. These differences were not significant. Although the CYP2C19*2 polymorphism alters the response to clopidogrel, its association with smoking did not influence the development of restenosis.