Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2013, 157(4):374-378 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2012.084

Beta 2 adrenergic receptor polymorphisms, at codons 16 and 27, and bronchodilator responses in adult Venezuelan asthmatic patients

Nancy Larocca^a,b, Dolores Moreno^b, Jenny Valentina Garmendia^a, Olga Velasquez^a, Joana Martin-Rojo^a, Carlos Talamo^c, Alexis Garcia^a, Juan Bautista De Sanctis^a

^a Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 50109, Sabana Grande, Caracas, Venezuela

^b Institute of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 50109, Sabana Grande, Caracas,

^c Department of Pneumology, Luis Razetti School of Medicine, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas

Background: One of the gene polymorphisms often studied in asthmatic patients is the β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRβ2). Even though in the Venezuelan Mestizo population there is a high incidence of asthma, there are no direct reports of ADRβ2 gene polymorphism, and treatment response. The aim of this study was to assess, in this population, the gene frequency of ADRβ2 polymorphisms at codons 16 Arg/Gly and 27 Gln/Glu, allergen sensitization, and its relationship to bronchodilator response.

Methods: Purified genomic DNA was obtained form 105 Mestizo asthmatic and 100 Mestizo healthy individuals from Venezuela. The two polymorphisms were assessed by PCR-RFLP. Patient sensitization to aeroallergens and their response to bronchodilatation were correlated.

Results: Significant differences between patients and controls were recorded in: 1) the prevalence of Arg/Arg at codon 16 (28.6% in patients vs. 47% in controls, P

Keywords: aeroallergen, asthma, β2 adrenergic receptors, bronchodilator response, gene polymorphism

Received: January 4, 2012; Accepted: July 27, 2012; Prepublished online: November 2, 2012; Published: December 12, 2013  Show citation