AIM: To study the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1(MSR1)gene in xanthelasma palpebrarum patients.

METHODS: We drew peripheral venous blood from 20 xanthelasma palpebrarum patients and 20 healthy participants. We detected the SNPs of MSR1 gene with Sanger sequencing, examined serum lipids and α-lipoprotein of the patients, and scanned carotid arteries of the patients with color ultrasound. After that, we kept on observation of the participants.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the SNPs of MSR1 genotype between xanthelasma palpebrarum patients and healthy participants. However, in some patients with carotid atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia, there were homozygous mutations at S2-SNP1, S5-SNP2 and S5-SNP4 in the exon region of MSR1 gene, which were related to atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSION: Xanthelasma palpebrarum is related to SNPs of MSR1 in atherosclerosis.