Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme that prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. The role of polymorphisms of PON1 determining early atherosclerotic changes is currently unclear.
Design: Cross sectional cohort study.
Methods: Nine hundred and ninety-nine subjects from a population-based cohort were screened. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by ultrasonography. Leu-Met55 and Gln-Arg192 polymorphism were determined.
Results: No association between PON1 genotypes and IMT was found. This finding remained after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions: The PON1 Leu-Met55 and Gln-Arg192 polymorphisms are not major risk factors for atherosclerosis in the general Caucasian population.