Effect of the TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism on the changes produced by atorvastatin in bone mineral density in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on bone mass and markers of bone remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome depending on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-308 G/A polymorphism. METHODS Sixty-two patients with acute coronary syndrome (35 males and 27 females), average age 60 +/- 10 years, were included. Patients were given low (10-20 mg) and high doses (40-80 mg) atorvastatin according to their baseline levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and their index of vascular risk. Patients were studied during hospital admission (baseline) and at 12 months of follow-up. Cholesterol, triglycerides, total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline were determined in all patients at baseline and at 12 months of follow-up. Densitometric studies were conducted in the lumbar spine (L(2)-L(4)), femoral neck and trochanter using an X-ray densitometer. The TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism was determined by the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Forty-five patients were homozygous for G/G (72.5%) and 17 were heterozygous for G/A (27.5%). The prevalence of osteoporosis (T score < or = 2.5 in the lumbar spine and/or hip) was 33% for the G/G genotype and 35% for the G/A genotype, with no statistically significant differences between groups. There was a statistically significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (1.107 +/- 0.32 vs. 1.129 +/- 0.23; p = 0.0001) in patients with the G/G genotype. No changes were observed in patients with the G/A genotype. CONCLUSION In patients with acute coronary syndrome, atorvastatin increases lumbar spine BMD solely in patients with the G/G genotype of the TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism.