Association between beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms and the response to beta-blockade in

Pascal de Groote1, Nicole Helbecque, Nicolas Lamblin

  • 1Service de Cardiologie C, Hôpital Cardiologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France. pdegroote@chru-lille.fr

Insights

Beta-blockers benefit stable congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, improving ejection fraction. However, common beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) gene variations do not explain individual patient responses to these crucial heart failure medications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacogenomics

Background:

  • Beta-blockers are established treatments for stable congestive heart failure (CHF), improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reducing mortality.
  • Interindividual variability exists in patient response to beta-blocker therapy for CHF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between genetic variations in beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptor (AR) genes and the therapeutic effects of beta-blockade in stable CHF patients.

Main Methods:

  • 199 stable CHF patients, treatment-naïve to beta-blockers, were assessed using echocardiography and radionuclide angiography before and 3 months after maximal tolerated beta-blocker dose.
  • Genotyping was performed for five common polymorphisms in the beta1AR and beta2AR genes: beta1ARGly389Arg, beta1ARSer49Gly, beta2ARGly16Arg, beta2ARGln27Glu, and beta2ARThr164Ile.

Main Results:

  • Beta-blockade significantly reduced heart rate and increased LVEF (from 30±10% to 40±13%, P<0.0001).
  • No significant association was found between the five studied betaAR polymorphisms and heart rate or LVEF changes in response to beta-blockade.
  • The investigated betaAR gene polymorphisms did not account for the observed interindividual variability in treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • Common genetic variations in beta1AR and beta2AR genes do not explain the variability in response to beta-blockers in patients with stable CHF.
  • Further research is needed to identify genetic or other factors influencing individual responses to beta-blocker therapy in CHF.

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