OBJECTIVETo study whether the polymorphisms of TaqIB of cholesteryl transfer protein (CETP) gene and 1444C/T of C reactive protein (CRP) gene are associated with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the Chinese Han population.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to detect the distribution of genotypes of CETP TaqIB and CRP 1444C/T in 147 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and 147 control subjects in Chinese Han population.

RESULTS(1) The distribution of CETP TaqIB and CRP 1444C/T genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. (2) A statistically significant difference between patients and controls for CETP TaqIB (P= 0.005, OR= 0.614, beta = -0.488) and CRP 1444C/T (P= 0.003, OR= 2.428, beta = 0.887) was observed. (3) In female group, significant difference was observed in smoking, CETP TaqIB and CRP 1444C/T polymorphisms. And in male group, significant difference was observed in body mass index and CETP TaqIB polymorphisms.

CONCLUSION(1) These results suggest that CETP TaqIB (B2 allele as protective factor) and CRP1444C/T (T allele as risk factor) genetic polymorphisms may be associated with the non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the Chinese Han population. (2) Smoking and CRP1444T single nucleotide polymorphism may induce hereditary susceptibility to non-valvular atrial fibrillation in female. Obesity may induce hereditary susceptibility to non-valvular atrial fibrillation in male.