Distribution of the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the ß 3-adrenergic receptor gene in athletes and its influence on cardiovascular function.

BACKGROUND The Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta₃-adrenergic receptor (beta₃-AR) gene was extensively studied concerning the relationship with cardiovascular (CV) diseases, but few studies addressed this issue in athletes. AIM To examine the relationship between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta₃-AR gene and several CV functions such as cardiac structure and function or blood biochemical parameters in Korean male controls and athletes. METHODS We recruited a total of 114 study subjects, including 81 male athletes (8 long distance runners, 17 soccer, 8 baseball, 10 basketball, 8 volleyball, 8 ice hockey, 8 judo, 6 taekwondo and 8 gymnastics) and 33 controls. Two dimensional echocardiography was performed in order to assess the cardiac structure and function and blood biochemical parameters were measured. Genotyping of Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta₃-AR gene was also performed by the SNaPshot method. RESULTS The genotype and allele distribution of Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta₃-AR gene were significantly different among each sporting discipline, showing the highest Arg allele frequency in volleyball and gymnastics (p < 0.05). Also, this polymorphism was significantly associated with serum HDL-cholesterol and glucose level in athletes only (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data showed the significant associations between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta₃-AR gene and some CV parameters such as serum HDL-cholesterol and glucose levels in athletes. However, further studies of the precise mechanism behind these associations are needed.