Beta 3 subunit of G-protein and its influence on autonomic nervous system in patients with vasovagal syncope

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the impact of genetic polymorphisms of β3 subunit of G-protein on the occurrence of vasovagal syncope, hemodynamic parameters and heart rate variability during head-up tilt test (HUT).

G-proteins play an important role in the intracellular transmission of impulses in cardiovascular autonomic reflexes.

In 157 patients with suspected vasovagal syncope HUT was performed. Ninety-one patients (38 men, 53 women, mean age 48 ± 17 years) had positive HUT. Control group consisted of 109 subjects (69 men, 40 women, mean age 37 ± 16 years) with no history of syncope. Results of HUT, hemodynamic parameters and LF, HF, LF/HF, SDNN, RMSSD parameters of heart rate variability were compared in patients with different genotypes. C825T polymorphism of β3 subunit of G-protein was determined in the study subjects.

There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between patients and control group. Also, there was no significant difference in hemodynamic parameters. A statistically significant difference was found between genotypes in LF/HF in the early HUT (mean rank CC: 48.68 vs CT: 35.51 vs TT: 34.14; p = 0.039) and at RMSSD at the time of syncope (mean rank CC: 32.38 vs CT: 42.74 vs TT: 18.50; p = 0.026).

In this study, the relation of C825T polymorphism of β3 subunit of G-protein to vasovagal syncope was not documented (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 37).