An evaluation of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor Arg389Gly polymorphism in individuals with heart failure: a MERIT-HF sub-study

Background: The Glycine389 variant of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) generates markedly less cAMP when stimulated in vitro than the more prevalent Arginine389 variant. Aims: The aim of this MERIT-HF sub-study was to ascertain whether this Glycine389 variant favourably influences outcome in heart failure similar to that observed with beta-blockers. Methods: We identified the genotype at amino acid 389 of the beta1AR in 600 patients enrolled in the MERIT-HF study (UK and Dutch participants). A risk-ratio (RR) for each genotype was calculated using the combined endpoint of all cause mortality or hospitalisation (time to first event). A pharmacogenetic effect of this polymorphism was also sought by evaluating the effect of Metoprolol CR/XL on heart rate amongst the three genotypes. Results: The prevalence of the three genotypes was ArgArg 51.3%, ArgGly 40.2%, GlyGly 8.5%. The presence of the Gly allele was not associated with a significant benefit on the combined endpoint, RR=0.94; confidence intervals (CI), 0.69-1.29 (P=0.72). This is in contrast to the highly significant benefit of Metoprolol CR/XL observed in this sub-study population, RR=0.60; Cl, 0.44-0.83 (P=0.002). No effect of the polymorphism was observed on the magnitude of heart rate reduction attained by Metoprolol CR/XL. Conclusion: In contrast to the benefits of beta-l selective blockade, we have demonstrated that the Gly389 allele does not confer a significant mortality/morbidity benefit in heart failure patients. We have found no evidence of a pharmacogenetic effect of this biochemically functional polymorphism. (C) 2003 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.