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Polymorphisms of adrenergic cardiovascular control genes are associated with adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome
Author(s) -
Sommerfeldt Line,
Portilla Helene,
Jacobsen Line,
Gjerstad Johannes,
Wyller Vegard Bruun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.02072.x
Subject(s) - rs4680 , single nucleotide polymorphism , genotype , medicine , endocrinology , adrenergic , snp , adrenergic receptor , catechol o methyl transferase , polymorphism (computer science) , population , allele frequency , receptor , genetics , gene , biology , environmental health
Aim: To explore the frequency of polymorphisms in adrenergic cardiovascular control genes in adolescent with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and the relation of such polymorphisms to cardiovascular variables. Methods: DNA from 53 patients with CFS, 12–18 years old, was analysed for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT), the β 2 ‐adrenergic receptor (two SNPs), the β 1 ‐adrenergic receptor and the α 2a ‐adrenergic receptor. Frequencies were compared to a reference population constructed from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, and associations between frequencies and autonomic cardiovascular responses during a 20° head‐uptilt‐test were explored. Results: For the COMT SNP Rs4680, patients with CFS had a higher frequency of the AA genotype and a lower frequency of the G containing genotypes (AG and GG), when compared to the reference sample (p = 0.046). Also, the AA genotype was associated with a smaller increase in LF/HF ratio (low‐frequency:high‐frequency heart rate variability ratio, an index of cardiac sympathovagal balance) during head‐up tilt when compared to the AG/GG genotypes. For the β 2 ‐adrenergic receptor SNP Rs1042714, patients with CFS had a lower frequency of the GG genotype and a higher frequency of the genotypes containing C (CG and CC) (p = 0.044). Conclusions: CFS might be related to polymorphisms of COMT and the β 2 ‐adrenergic receptor. More details of the molecular mechanisms remain to be investigated.