Associations between vitamin D status, VDR gene polymorphisms and echocardiographic markers in Polish patients with cardiovascular disease.

Aim: This work was designed to investigate the associations between vitamin D metabolites, VDR gene polymorphisms and echocardiographic markers in a population of patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: Echocardiographic markers for 42 patients were determined with tissue Doppler techniques. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis identified genetic variants ApaI , TaqI , BsmI and FokI . A validated UHPLC-MS/MS method determined vitamin D metabolites. Results: Patients with the ApaI -GT genotype exhibited a lower pressure gradient across the aortic valve than ApaI -TT carriers. BMI, ApaI -GT, TaqI -TC, aortic arch diameter and maximal pressure gradient were significant univariate predictors of hypertension. Conclusion: A potential link exists between VDR gene polymorphisms and cardiovascular function.