Genetics
CETP Taq1B B2 allele cuts coronary stenosis risk by 18 percent overall, and 38 percent in male nonsmokers, in Tunisians (Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2008)
Original title: Association of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein Taq1 B2B2 genotype with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and lower risk of coronary artery disease in a Tunisian population
This prospective study explored the role of the CETP Taq1B variant in coronary artery disease (CAD) risk and its association with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, extracting DNA from 316 Tunisian patients undergoing coronary angiography. The B2 allele frequency was 0.29. B2 allele carriers had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol than B1B1 genotype carriers (1.041 vs 0.995, p=0.039). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, the B2 allele was associated with 18% lower odds of significant coronary stenosis (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60-0.97, p=0.039), an effect more pronounced in male nonsmokers (38% lower risk, OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29-0.92, p=0.029), with no significant protective effect in women or male smokers. The authors conclude the B2 allele confers a protective effect against coronary atherosclerosis via higher HDL-cholesterol, more pronounced in men and nonsmokers.
Original abstract
Background: The role of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in the development of atherosclerosis is undergoing debate.
Aims: In this prospective study, we sought to explore the role of the CETP Taq1B variant in coronary artery disease risk, and its association with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations.
Methods: DNA was extracted from 316 patients undergoing coronary angiography. The Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured by enzymatic and nephelometric assays.
Results: In our study population, the B2 allele frequency was 0.29. B2 allele carriers had a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration than those with the B1B1 genotype (1.041+/-0.294 versus 0.995+/-0.277; p=0.039). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, the odds ratio (OR) for significant stenosis associated with the B2 allele was 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.97; p=0.039), suggesting that the B2 allele is associated with an 18% lower risk of significant stenosis. This protective effect seemed to be more significant in male nonsmokers (38% lower risk; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29-0.92; p=0.029). No significant protective effects were observed in women or male smokers.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that the B2 allele is associated with higher concentrations of HDL-C, which confer a protective effect with regard to coronary atherosclerosis. This effect seems to be more significant in men than in women and in nonsmokers than in smokers.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.