Polymorphisms of Adrenergic Cardiovascular Control Genes are Associated with Adolescent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Sommerfeldt L, Portilla H, Jacobsen L, Gjerstad J, Wyller VB. Acta Paediatr. 2010 Nov 9. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.02072.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway STAMI, The National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
Aim: To explore the frequency of polymorphisms in adrenergic cardiovascular control genes in adolescent with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and the relation of such polymorphisms to cardiovascular variables.
Methods: DNA from 53 CFS patients 12-18 years old were analysed for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), the β(2) -adrenergic receptor (two SNPs), the β(1) -adrenergic receptor and the α(2a) -adrenergic receptor. Frequencies were compared to a reference population constructed from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, and associations between frequencies and autonomic cardiovascular responses during a 20(o) head-up tilt-test were explored.
Results: For the COMT SNP Rs4680, CFS patients had a higher frequency of the AA genotype and a lower frequency of the G containing genotypes (AG and GG), as compared to the reference sample (p=0.046). Also, the AA genotype was associated with a smaller increase in LF/HF-ratio (low-frequency:high-frequency heart rate variability ratio, an index of cardiac sympathovagal balance) during head-up tilt as compared to the AG/GG genotypes. For the β(2) -adrenergic receptor SNP Rs1042714, CFS patients had a lower frequency of the GG genotype and a higher frequency of the genotypes containing C (CG and CC) (p=0.044).
Conclusion: CFS might be related to polymorphisms of COMT and the β(2) -adrenergic receptor. More details of the molecular mechanisms remain to be investigated.
PMID: 21059181 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
