Association between T174M polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene and risk of coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Angiotensinogen (AGT) T174M gene polymorphism has been suggested to be linked to risk of coronary artery disease, however, results from studies of this association have been inconsistent. In this study, we assess the relationship between AGT T174M gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of 18 case-control studies with 8,147 coronary artery disease cases and 5,344 controls in Google scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify eligible studies published by July, 2012. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated from these studies. RESULTS Overall, a significant association was found between angiotensinogen T174M polymorphism and coronary artery disease risk when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (TT vs. MM: OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.40-0.71; dominant model: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01-1.35; recessive model: OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.40-0.72). In a stratified analysis, the results indicate a significant association in Caucasians suffering from coronary stenosis (TT vs. MM: OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.23-0.63; recessive model: OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.23-0.64). No significant increased risk for coronary artery disease was found in Asians. CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis indicate a significant association of T174M polymorphism with coronary stenosis risk in Caucasians.