Paraoxonase (PON) has anti-atherogenic activity. Considering the important role of polymorphism in the genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and the variability of its allele frequencies in different ethnic groups, the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of PON1M55L, PON1Q192R, PON2A148G, and PON2S311C polymorphisms was analyzed in a total 988 South-western Koreans and determined their effects on lipid parameters. The genotype distribution of PON1 at position 55 was LL=0.886, LM=0.114; and at position 192 was QQ=0.406, QR=0.594. The frequencies of the PON1 55L allele and the PON1 192R allele were similar to those seen in Chinese populations and Western populations, respectively. The genetic distribution of PON2 at position 148 was AA=0.619, AG=0.345, GG=0.035; and at position 311 was CC=0.035, SC=0.345, SS=0.619. The frequencies of the PON2 148G and 311S alleles were similar to those seen in Chinese populations. The concentrations of LDL and ApoB were significantly different between the PON2A148G (P<0.05) and PON2 S311C polymorphisms (P<0.01). PON polymorphisms and allele frequencies were described in Koreans living south-western part of Korea. These ethnic variations are considered important in the interpretation of diseases associated with PON polymorphisms.
Keywords: Korean; Paraoxonase; Polymorphisms.