Background: CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) is a complex disease that influenced by environment and genetic factors. Lipid levels are regarded as major risk factor of CAD and epigenetic mechanisms might be involved in the regulation of CAD development. This study was designed to investigate the association between DNA methylation status of 8 lipid metabolism related genes and risk of CAD in Chinese Han population.
Methods: A total of 260 samples were used in this study, including 120 CAD cases and 140 normal health controls. DNA methylation status was tested via targeted bisulfite sequencing.
Results: The present results indicated a significant association between hypomethylation of APOC3, CETP and APOC1 gene promoter and risk of CAD. Individuals with higher methylation levels in APOA5 and LIPC gene promoter have increased risks for CAD. In addition, a gender based breakdown analysis revealed that ANGPTL4 methylation level was significantly associated with CAD in male, but not in female. There were no significant differences in methylation levels of APOB and PCSK9 gene promoter between CAD patients and controls.
Conclusion: Methylation status of APOC3, APOA5, LIPC, CETP and APOC1 gene promoters may be associated with development of CAD.