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Interaction between factor V Leiden and serum LDL cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis

Henry Völzke1, Birger Wolff, Rita Grimm

  • 1Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Walther Rathenau Str. 48, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany. voelzke@uni-greifswald.de

Atherosclerosis
|May 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The factor V Leiden gene variant alone does not increase atherosclerosis risk. However, when combined with high LDL cholesterol, it significantly elevates the risk of both carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Factor V Leiden is a common genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis.
  • Its role in arterial atherosclerosis, including carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), remains less understood.
  • Investigating gene-environment interactions is crucial for understanding complex diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between the factor V Leiden gene variant and carotid atherosclerosis.
  • To explore the relationship between the factor V Leiden gene variant and coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To investigate potential interactions between the factor V Leiden gene variant and serum LDL cholesterol levels in relation to atherosclerosis risk.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 2400 participants from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) to assess carotid atherosclerosis via sonography.
  • Case-control study including 1021 severe CAD patients and 2791 healthy controls.
  • Factor V Leiden gene variant detection using PCR and MnlI digestion.
  • Multivariable analyses and interaction analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • No independent association was found between the factor V Leiden gene variant and carotid atherosclerosis or CAD.
  • An interaction between the factor V Leiden gene variant and serum LDL cholesterol was observed in non-diabetics regarding carotid atherosclerosis risk.
  • A similar interaction was identified for CAD, with increased atherosclerotic risk correlating with higher LDL cholesterol in carriers of the factor V Leiden gene variant.

Conclusions:

  • The factor V Leiden gene variant alone is not an independent risk factor for arterial atherosclerosis.
  • The combination of the factor V Leiden gene variant and elevated serum LDL cholesterol is independently associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
  • This highlights the importance of gene-environment interactions in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract

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