Background. The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aorto-iliac occlusive disease (AIOD) is multifactorial, and both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the initiation and progression of pathological changes in the aorta. This study is concerned with associations between the age of AAA and AIOD surgical repair and the classical vascular risk factors as well as the paraoxonase 1 (PON1)–108C>T genotypes.
Material and methods. The study was conducted on 2 groups: the first group comprised 330 subjects with AAA, and the second group 250 subjects with AIOD. PON1–108C>T polymorphism was ascertained by the PCR-RFLP method.
Results. The frequencies of –108T allele, which determine lower paraoxonase level, were similar in the groups of AAA (0.462) and AIOD (0.479) patients. The lower surgical repair age in patients in both groups was significantly associated with smoking and the higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and triglicerides (TG) and values of TC/HDLC. In the AAA group the same negative relation was noted with BMI index. The higher values of %HDLC display the protective effect on AAA/AIOD progression. In the AIOD group positive relations were also seen with HDLC/LDLC index and diabetes. Associations between high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) fraction and age of AIOD repair were stronger in –108T allele carriers. Age of AAA surgical repair was independently related to smoking and TG level, and age of AIOD surgical repair was independently related to smoking, diabetes and TC level. These effects were stronger in PON1–108CC homozygotes.
Conclusions. Smoking and impaired lipid profile are prevailing factors determining the rate of AAA and AIOD progression. In the absence of these risk factors, the genetically determined low paraoxonase level may induce the progression of alterations in the aorta, particularly in the case of AIOD.