OBJECTIVETo assess the association of genetic polymorphisms of mitogen-activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 gene (MK2) and zinc finger protein 36 gene (ZFP36) with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Xinjiang Urgur population.

METHODSNine hundred thirty Uygur individuals were randomly recruited from Hetian area. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in MK2 gene (rs44890 and rs45514798) and ZFP36 gene (rs251864 and rs3746083) were determined with Taqman-PCR. All subjects were investigated with questionnaire, physical examination and measurement of lipid levels and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

RESULTS(1)In Uygur men younger than 50 years old, SNP rs45514798 was associated with HDL-C [dominant model P=0.054, OR(95%CI)0.261(0.082-0.833) after age, smoking, drinking, abdominal circumference, waist/hip ratio and body mass index and tumor necrosis factor were controlled]. (2) For males younger than 50 years old, the concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol were different in dominant model of rs45514798(P< 0.05). Female: total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol were different in dominant model of rs45514798(P< 0.05). (3) The distribution of genotype of ZFP36 gene did not differ significantly between the low HDL-C groups and the control group.

CONCLUSIONMK2 gene rs45514798 polymorphisms may be associated with HDL-C in Uygur men younger than 50 years old from Hetian area of Xinjiang. ZFP36 gene is not associated with HDL-C in Uygur people from Xinjiang.