pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Importance of the FUT2 rs602662 Polymorphism in the Risk of Cardiovascular Complications in Patients after Kidney Transplantation - PubMed

  • ️Mon Jan 01 2024

The Importance of the FUT2 rs602662 Polymorphism in the Risk of Cardiovascular Complications in Patients after Kidney Transplantation

Maciej Józef Kotowski et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2024.

Abstract

The FUT2 gene encodes an enzyme called α-1,2-fucosyltransferase, which is involved in the formation of blood group antigens AB0(H) and is also involved in the processes of vitamin B12 absorption and its transport between cells. FUT2 gene polymorphisms are associated with vitamin B12 levels in the body. Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with hyperhomocysteinemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are one of the main causes of death in patients after kidney transplantation. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of the rs602662 (G>A) polymorphism of the FUT2 gene on the functionality of transplanted kidneys and the risk of CVD in patients after kidney transplantation. The study included 402 patients treated with immunosuppression (183 patients taking cyclosporine (CsA) and 219 patients taking tacrolimus (TAC)). The analysis of the FUT2 rs602662 (G>A) polymorphism was performed using real-time PCR. Patients with CsA were more likely to be underweight (1.64% vs. 0.91%) and obese (27.87% vs. 15.98%), while those taking TAC were more likely to be of normal weight (39.27%) or overweight (43.84%). No statistically significant differences were observed comparing the mean blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. The renal profile showed a higher median urea nitrogen concentration in patients with CsA (26.45 mg/dL (20.60-35.40) vs. 22.95 mg/dL (17.60-33.30), p = 0.004). The observed frequency of rs602662 alleles of the FUT2 gene was similar in the analyzed groups. The A allele was present in 43.7% of patients with CsA and 41.1% of those taking TAC (OR = 0.898; 95% CI: 0.678-1.189; p = 0.453). In the group with CsA, the GG genotype was present in 32.2% of patients, the GA in 48.1% and the AA in 19.7%. A similar distribution was obtained in the TAC group: GG-33.8%, GA-50.2%, and AA-16.0%. An association of genotypes containing the G allele with a higher incidence of hypertension was observed. The G allele was present in 65% of people with hypertension and in 56% of patients with normal blood pressure (p = 0.036). Moreover, the evaluation of the renal parameters showed no effect of the FUT2 polymorphism on the risk of organ rejection because the levels of creatinine, eGFR, potassium, and urea nitrogen were prognostic of successful transplantation. Our results suggest that the rs6022662 FUT2 polymorphism may influence the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases; immunosuppression; kidney transplantation; organ rejection; polymorphism.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Percentage distribution of rs602662 alleles of the FUT2 gene and arterial hypertension in the entire group of 402 patients after kidney transplantation.

Similar articles

References

    1. Rao N.N., Coates P.T. Cardiovascular Disease After Kidney Transplant. Semin. Nephrol. 2018;38:291–297. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2018.02.008. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Neale J., Smith A.C. Cardiovascular risk factors following renal transplant. World J. Transplant. 2015;5:183–195. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v5.i4.183. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stoumpos S., Jardine A.G., Mark P.B. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. Transpl. Int. 2015;28:10–21. doi: 10.1111/tri.12413. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Aker S., Ivens K., Grabensee B., Heering P. Cardiovascular risk factors and diseases after renal transplantation. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 1998;30:777–788. doi: 10.1007/BF02564867. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wu H., Sun L., Lin D.P., Shao X.X., Xia S.L., Lv M. Association of Fucosyltransferase 2 Gene Polymorphisms with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients from Southeast China. Gastroenterol. Res. Pract. 2017;2017:4148651. doi: 10.1155/2017/4148651. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the National Science Centre through Grant no. UMO-2011/03/B/NZ7/06550.