Published online Jun 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i23.7191
Peer-review started: October 28, 2014
First decision: December 26, 2014
Revised: January 26, 2015
Accepted: February 11, 2015
Article in press: February 11, 2015
Published online: June 21, 2015
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 Gly16-Glu/Gln27 homozygotes probably benefit from propranolol therapy.
Core tip: The study explored the influence of β-2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) polymorphism and the response of esophageal variceal pressure to chronic treatment with propranolol. The originality was that we associated the polymorphism to the measurement of variceal pressure and considered the response to propranolol administration. We found that the variceal pressure response to propranolol was associated with β2-AR gene polymorphisms, and that the patients with the Gly16-Glu/Gln27 homozygotes seem to benefit more from propranolol therapy.