The association between the gene encoding 5-lipoxygenase activating protein and abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background: Genetic variation in the gene ALOX5AP, encoding arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, have been suggested to increase risk for myocardial infarction and stroke. Leukotrienes (LTs) that derive from the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) cascade have been implicated in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods and results: The association of the ALOX5AP haplotypes with AAA was assessed in a large population-based cohort of 613 men aged >= 65 years with screen-detected AAAs and 707 randomly selected age-matched controls without AAA. Taqman assays were used to assess seven previously described single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ALOX5AP. Haplotypes A and B were defined by the four SNPs (SG13S25, SG13S114, SG13S89, SG13S32) and (SG13S377, SG13S114, SG13S41, SG13S35), respectively. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, there were no significant differences in the distribution of ALOX5AP haplotypes between cases and controls. Conclusion: A genetic predisposition to up-regulation of LT mediators is unlikely to play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of AAA. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.