β-2 Adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism and response to propranolol in cirrhosis

World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jun 21;21(23):7191-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i23.7191.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the association of β-2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) gene polymorphism with response of variceal pressure to propranolol in cirrhosis.

Methods: Sixty-four non-related cirrhotic patients participated in this study and accepted variceal pressure measurement before and after propranolol administration. Polymorphism of the β2-AR gene was determined by directly sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products from the DNA samples that were prepared from the patients.

Results: The prevalence of Gly16-Glu/Gln27 and Arg16-Gln27 homozygotes, and compound heterozygotes was 29.7%, 10.9%, and 59.4%, respectively. Patients with cirrhosis with Gly16-Glu/Gln27 homozygotes had a greater decrease of variceal pressure after propranolol administration than those with Arg16-Gln27 homozygotes or with compound heterozygotes (22.4% ± 2.1%, 13.1% ± 2.7% and 12.5% ± 3.1%, respectively, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The variceal pressure response to propranolol was associated with polymorphism of β2-AR gene. Patients with the Gly(16)-Glu/Gln(27) homozygotes probably benefit from propranolol therapy.

Keywords: Homozygotes; Propranolol; Variceal bleeding; Variceal pressure; β2-adrenergic receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / diagnosis
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / drug therapy*
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / genetics
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Gene Frequency
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Portal / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Portal / genetics
  • Hypertension, Portal / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / genetics*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ADRB2 protein, human
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Propranolol