Effect of polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase on ischemic stroke: a case-control study in a Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a key role in vascular regulation and atherosclerosis, therefore, eNOS may be a candidate gene for ischemic stroke (IS). However, it is still controversial whether eNOS polymorphisms are a risk factor for IS.


METHODS
Three polymorphisms of the eNOS gene (-922A/G, -786T/C, 894G/T) were determined by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay in 309 Chinese patients with IS and 309 Chinese controls.


RESULTS
The frequency of eNOS -922 G allele was significantly higher in the patients than the controls (12.14% vs 8.09%, P=0.018). The distribution of eNOS genotypes differed insignificantly between the 2 groups. The frequency of the eNOS -786 CC genotype was higher in the patients than the controls (OR=3.819, P=0.029). With respect to -922A/G, the AG+GG genotype increased the risk for IS (OR=1.523, P=0.047). After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratios of -786 CC and -922 variant genotype (AG+GG) for IS were 4.580 and 1.656, respectively. However, haplotype analysis revealed the frequencies of Hap4 (GCG) and Hap7 (GCT) were significantly higher in the patients than the controls (P=0.035, 0.042).


CONCLUSIONS
eNOS -922A/G and -786T/C may affect the susceptibility to IS and certain haplotypes of the eNOS gene may be associated with a higher susceptibility to IS.
Cheng
Jinquan
J
Department of Molecular Biology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China. c_jinquan@126.com
Liu
Jianping
J
Li
Xiaoxia
X
Yu
Lei
L
Peng
Ji
J
Zhang
Renli
R
Geng
Yijie
Y
Nie
Shaofa
S
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*
D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III