Estrogen Receptor Beta Gene Variants may be Associated with more Favorable Metabolic Profile in Postmenopausal Women Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Aim: Estrogen action is exerted on the vasculature through estrogen receptors ER alpha and ER beta We have previously reported significant association of ER alpha gene (ESR1) variants with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD) in postmenopausal women. The influence of ER beta gene (ESR2) variants on the cardiovascular system is not well established. We investigated the association of common ESR2 variants with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and with the severity of CAD in postmenopausal women. Methods: ESR2 polymorphisms AluI (1730 G>A) and RsaI (1082 G>A) were studied in 174 postmenopausal women undergoing coronary angiography (age 45-88yrs). The severity of CAD (0-3 vessels with >50% stenosis), indices of obesity and other predisposing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, biochemical and hormonal parameters were recorded. Results: 75 women had 0, 39 had one, 37 had two and 23 had three vessels with severe stenosis in the coronary angiography. There was no association between AluI (allele frequency = 40.2%) and RsaI (allele frequency=2.6%) variants and CAD severity. Carriers of AluI had lower BMI (p=0.044), lower waist perimeter (p=0.029) and lower total cholesterol (p=0.033) and LDL levels (p=0.029). There was noassociation between RsaI polymorphism and any metabolic risk factors. Conclusions: ESR2 AluI polymorphism may have a favorable influence on risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity indices and cholesterol levels. It does not appear to be associated with the severity of CAD in women.