The gene for connexin 37 (Cx37) is considered to be one of the candidate genes for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the association between Cx37 (1019C>T) gene polymorphism (Pro319Ser) and ankle brachial blood pressure index (ABI) in women with type 1 (n=178) and type 2 (n=111) diabetes, and in women from general population (n=862).
All women were genotyped for Cx37 polymorphism. In addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, ABI was analyzed.
In women with type 1 diabetes, ABI significantly decreased from TT to CC carriers (p for trend=0.008). A similar trend was seen in women with type 2 diabetes (p=0.050) and in women with waist circumference above 75(th) percentile (94 cm; n=208) of the general population (p=0.049).
The gene for Cx37 was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in women with type 1 and 2 diabetes and in women with advanced central obesity. The presence of C allele indicated increased risk.