Variations of cardiovascular disease associated genes exhibit sex-dependent influence on human longevity

Tan, Q., Yashin, A. I., Bladbjerg, E. M., De Maat, M. P. M., Andersen-Ranberg, K., Jeune, B., Christensen, K., Vaupel, J. W.
Experimental Gerontology, 36:8, 1303–1315 (2001)


This article investigates the relationship between the polymorphic variations in genes associated with cardiovascular disease and longevity in the Danish population. A new procedure that combines both demographic and the individual genetic information in determining the relative risks of the observed genetic variations is applied. The sex-dependent influences can be found by introducing sex-specific population survival and incorporating the risk of gene¯sex interaction. Three genetic polymorphisms, angiotensinogen M/T235, blood coagulation factor VII (FVII) R/Q353 and FVII-323ins10, manifest significant influences on survival in males, with reduced hazards of death for carriers of the angiotensinogen M235 allele, the F VII Q353 allele, and the FVII-323P10 allele. The results show that some of these genotypes associated with lower risk of CVD could also reduce the carrier´s death rate and contribute to longevity. However, the presence of sex-dependent effects and the fact that major CVD-associated genes failed to impose detrimental influence on longevity lead us to concur that the aging process is highly complicated. (© 2001 ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC)