OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of CYP2C19 polymorphisms involved in clopidogrel metabolism in Fujian Han population.

METHODSFrequencies of CYP2C19* 2, CYP2C19*3 and CYP2C19*17 in 1001 unrelated Fujian Han volunteers were determined with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing method.

RESULTSThe frequencies of CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 were 32.4%, 5.8% and 0.4%, respectively. According to genotyping results, intermediate metabolizers (CYP2C19 *1/*2 or *1/*3) and poor metabolizers (CYP2C19 *2/*2 and *2/*3) respectively accounted for 47.95% and 13.99% of all subjects. Above frequencies were similar to those of Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Dai, Mongolian,Li and Hui ethnics (P>0.05), but were significantly different from those of Chinese Kazakh and Uygur ethnics, and people from Iran, Russia, Italy, Poland, Norway, Canada native Indians, Bolivia, Egypt or Tanzania (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEthnic/regional diversity exist with regard to the prevalence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms. No significant difference were found between Fujian Han Chinese and Dai, Mongolian, Li and Hui from China or other populations from East and Southeast Asia, but higher frequencies of intermediate metabolizers and poor metabolizers compared with populations of Kazakh and Uygur in China, and people from Europe, South America and Africa.