Evaluation of the predisposition of serotonin transporter polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR) and complement factor H (CFH) variants to smoking status

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the susceptibility of the serotonin transporter-associated polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and complement factor H (CFH) gene variants to smoking status.

Method: Smokers and non-smokers were included in the study. The smoking amount was assessed based on the scores on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). DNA is extracted from blood samples. 5-HTTLPR and CFH Y402H variants were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. The results were evaluated statistically.

Results: 5-HTTLPR and CFH Y402H genotype and allele distribution did not differ significantly between smokers and non-smokers (p>0.05). There was no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for these variants in the groups.

Conclusion: Nicotine addiction is a complex phenomenon in which both genetic and environmental factors play a role. The identification of genes that play a role in addiction is important to elucidate the pathogenesis. The results of this study showed that 5-HTTLPR and CFH Y402H variants had no effect on nicotine addiction. However, these results need to be validated in larger sample groups and in different ethnic communities.