eNOS haplotypes associated with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene have been inconsistently associated with preeclampsia. We compared genotype and haplotype frequencies of three eNOS gene polymorphisms in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies.


METHODS
Genotypes and haplotypes for eNOS polymorphisms (T-786C, Glu298Asp and intron 4 b/a) were determined in 326 pregnant women (110 healthy pregnancies, 103 gestational hypertensives and 113 preeclamptic).


RESULTS
No differences were observed in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of the three polymorphisms among the groups (all p > 0.05). However, the haplotype 'T Glu a' was more common in healthy pregnancies than in gestational hypertensives or preeclamptic (20 vs 6 and 6%, respectively; p < 0.0032). Conversely, the haplotype 'C Glu a' was more common in gestational hypertensives and preeclamptic than in healthy pregnancies (17 vs 17 and 5%; p = 0.0061).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a contribution of eNOS haplotypes to the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that is obscured when specific eNOS genotypes alone are considered.
Sandrim
Valeria C
VC
University of São Paulo, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
Palei
Ana Ct
AC
Cavalli
Ricardo C
RC
Araújo
Francielle M
FM
Ramos
Ester S
ES
Duarte
Geraldo
G
Tanus-Santos
Jose E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III