Objectives: To investigate a potential association between the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR) polymorphisms occurring at amino acid positions 16 (Arg16Gly) and 27 (Gln27Glu) and preterm labor.
Methods: Eighty patients with preterm labor and 76 control subjects were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: A significant association was found between Gln27Glu substitution and preterm labor (P=0.001). The frequency of Gly16 and Glu27 alleles were found to be higher in patients than in control women (0.54 vs. 0.48 and 0.42 vs. 0.26, respectively), and the odds ratio for the occurrence of preterm labor was 2.14 (95% CI, 1.32-3.46; P=0.002) for the Glu 27 allele. An early delivery was noted in 52.5% of patients.
Conclusion: The Gln27Glu polymorphism of the B2AR gene may have a role in molecular pathogenesis of preterm labor. Glu27 allele in patients with preterm labor might be a risk factor for deliveries before 37 weeks of gestation.