Background: Chymase is the major angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming enzyme in cardiovascular tissue, with an important role in atrial remodeling. This study aimed to examine the association between chymase 1 gene (CMA1) polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF) in a Chinese Han population.
Methods: This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with lone AF and 120 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, all from a Chinese Han population. Five CMA1 polymorphisms were genotyped.
Results: The CMA1 polymorphism rs1800875 (G-1903A) was associated with AF. The frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in AF patients compared with controls (p = 0.009). Haplotype analysis further demonstrated an increased risk of AF associated with the rs1800875-G haplotype (Hap8 TGTTG, odds ratio (OR) = 1.668, 95% CI 1.132-2.458, p = 0.009), and a decreased risk for the rs1800875-A haplotype (Hap5 TATTG, OR = 0.178, 95% CI 0.042-0.749, p = 0.008).
Conclusions: CMA1 polymorphisms may be associated with AF, and the rs1800875 GG genotype might be a susceptibility factor for AF in the Chinese Han population.
Keywords: Angiotensin II; Atrial fibrillation; CMA1; Chymase; Single nucleotide polymorphism.