title: Polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy in a cohort of West Africans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In addition to chronic hyperglycemia, there is increasing evidence that genetic factors may be important in the development of diabetes retinopathy (DR). Specifically, polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (eNOS) have been reported to be associated with multiple health conditions including DR, hypertension, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases in several ethnic groups. However, there is a paucity of similar data in African Americans and other African populations. To address this issue, we investigated the potential association between polymorphisms of the eNOS gene and diabetes-related phenotypes in 384 persons with type 2 diabetes and 191 controls from two West African countries (Ghana and Nigeria).
  
  
  METHODS
  We genotyped the deletion/insertion (4a/b) and the G894T polymorphisms of eNOS gene in a total of 575 persons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The b/b genotype of the polymorphism was associated with a 2.4 fold increased risk of DR (95% CI 1.39-4.09). In contrast, we did not observe any association between the genotypes or alleles of G894T polymorphism with DR, hypertension, or nephropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a significant association between the 4a/b polymorphism of the eNOS and DR in our West African cohort.
authors: National Human Genome Center at Howard University, College of Medicine, Washington DC 20059, USA. ychen@genomecenter.howard.edu
authors: Yuanxiu
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Hanxia
authors: H
authors: Huang
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhou
authors: Ayo
authors: A
authors: Doumatey
authors: Kerrie
authors: K
authors: Lashley
authors: Guanjie
authors: G
authors: Chen
authors: Kofi
authors: K
authors: Agyenim-Boateng
authors: Benjamin A
authors: BA
authors: Eghan
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Acheampong
authors: Olufemi
authors: O
authors: Fasanmade
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Johnson
authors: Folasade B
authors: FB
authors: Akinsola
authors: Godfrey
authors: G
authors: Okafor
authors: Johnnie
authors: J
authors: Oli
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Ezepue
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Amoah
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Akafo
authors: Adebowale
authors: A
authors: Adeyemo
authors: Charles N
authors: CN
authors: Rotimi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005869:Ghana; D005998:Glycine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009549:Nigeria; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013912:Threonine; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D013912:Threonine; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D005998:Glycine