The connexin 37 (1019C>T) gene polymorphism is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in women with type 1 and 2 diabetes and in women with central obesity

The gene for connexin 37 (Cx37) is considered to be one of thecandidate genes for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated theassociation between Cx37 (1019C>T) gene polymorphism(Pro319Ser) and ankle brachial blood pressure index (ABI) inwomen with type 1 (n=178) and type 2 (n=111) diabetes, and inwomen from general population (n=862). All women weregenotyped for Cx37 polymorphism. In addition to traditionalcardiovascular risk factors, ABI was analyzed. In women withtype 1 diabetes, ABI significantly decreased from TT to CCcarriers (p for trend= 0.008). A similar trend was seen in womenwith type 2 diabetes (p=0.050) and in women with waistcircumference above 75th percentile (94 cm; n=208) of thegeneral population (p=0.049). The gene for Cx37 was associatedwith subclinical atherosclerosis in women with type 1 and 2diabetes and in women with advanced central obesity. Thepresence of C allele indicated increased risk.