Genetic variation in cytochrorne P450 2J2 and soluble epoxide hydrolase and risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese population

Objective Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids have been recognized for their protective effects on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated whether two common polymorphisms in genes believed to be influential in regulating circulating levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, namely cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) G-50T and soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2) G860A, were associated with ischemic stroke risk in a Chinese population. Methods and results Screening of 200 patients with ischernic stroke and 350 control participants revealed that CYP2J2-50T allele frequency was not significantly different in ischernic stroke cases versus controls. In contrast, EPHX2 860A allele frequency was 16.8% in ischemic stroke cases versus 21.7% in controls (P=0.047), and the presence of this variant allele was associated with a significantly lower risk of ischernic stroke after adjustment for sex, age and multiple cardiovascular risk factors (adjusted odds ratio=0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.86). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between the EPHX2 G860A polymorphism, smoking and ischernic stroke risk such that nonsmokers carrying the EPHX2 G860A variant allele were at the lowest risk of ischernic stroke (odds ratio= 0.33, 95% confidence interval, Conclusions Collectively, these data indicate a protective influence of the G860A polymorphism of EPHX2 on ischemic stroke in Chinese nonsmokers. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 18:45-51 (c) 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.