Association of PON1 Haplotypes (Q192R and L55M) with the Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis

Enzyme paraoxonase 1 (PON1) plays a protective role against atherosclerosis by preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Polymorphisms in the PON1, particularly Q192R and L55M, have been shown to affect the enzyme activity and, consequently, the cardiovascular risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between PON1 haplotypes comprising the Q192R and L55M polymorphisms and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in a Polish population. The retrospective study involved 282 individuals of both sexes, divided into two groups following coronarography. The study group included patients after PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) with stent implantation or patients who qualified for CABG (coronary artery bypass graft), with stenoses of minimum 70% (n = 140), whereas the control group included those after coronarography and without essential lesions in coronary vessels (n = 142). The Q192R PON1 polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP. The haplotypes 192R-55L and 192R-55M have been shown to be statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of atherosclerosis that requires PCI/CABG (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.29–3.28, p = 0.0022; OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.17–2.69, p = 0.007; respectively). Furthermore, the risk of atherosclerosis requiring PCI or CABG was 53% lower in patients with the 192Q-55L haplotype (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.34–0.66, p = 0.000013). Haplotypes 192R-55L and 192R-55M may increase the risk of atherosclerosis requiring PCI/CABG, whereas the 192Q-55L haplotype may lower the risk.