Objective: We evaluated the relationship between polymorphisms of the paraoxonase (PUN) gene and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Taiwanese patients.Methods: Our sample set included 369 volunteers, classified into two groups: 162 healthy volunteers and 207 CAD patients aged 60.0 +/- 9.7 and 64.3 +/- 12.3 years, respectively. Polymorphisms of the PON1 and PON2 genes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques.Results: The results indicate that for the PUN) gene, the homozygous genotype RR was found significantly more often among the CAD group compared with the healthy group (OR = 1.965, 95% Cl = 1.223-3.159, p = 0.005). Furthermore, for the PON2 gene, the homozygous genotype CC was found significantly more often among the CAD group compared with the control group (OR = 2.525, 95% CI = 1.103-5.780, p = 0.026).Conclusions: Individuals homozygous for the R allele of the PUN) gene and the C allele of the PON2 gene are more likely to have an increased risk of CAD. (C) 2013 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.