Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in Behçet's disease with or without ocular involvement.
OBJECTIVE
The association of known ACE gene and eNOS gene polymorphisms with BD in a group of Turkish patients with or without ocular involvement has been investigated.


METHODS
The ACE and eNOS gene polymorphisms were investigated in 73 BD patients and 90 controls.


RESULTS
The distrubition of "DD", "ID" and "II" genotypes of the ACE gene were 32 (43.8%), 29 (39.8%) and 12 (16.4%) for BD patients and 32 (35.5%), 35 (38.9%) and 23 (25.6%) for healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.140, OR 1.44, CI 0.90-2.30). When Behçet patients with ocular involvement were compared to the control group, statistical significance was found (p = 0.049, OR 2.18, CI 1.00-4.81). The "bb", "ba", and "aa" genotype frequencies of the eNOS gene were 48 (65.8%), 23 (31.5%), and 2 (2.7%) for patients with BD and 75 (83.3%), 15 (16.7%), and 0 (0%) for healthy controls, respectively. The significant difference found in allelic frequencies between the two groups (p = 0.011, OR 2.32, CI 1.11-4.87). When Behçet patients with ocular involvement were compared, sharper statistical significance was found (p = 0.001,OR 4.61,CI 1.85-11.52).


CONCLUSIONS
The ACE gene polymorphism does not play a role in the pathogenesis of BD. The findings of the eNOS gene polymorphisms confirmed the significant association with BD and even more in patients with ocular involvement.
Dursun
Ahmet
A
Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty Zonguldak, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, 67600 Zonguldak, Turkey. dursuna@karaelmas.edu.tr
Durakbasi-Dursun
Hatice Gul
HG
Dursun
Recep
R
Baris
Savas
S
Akduman
Levent
L
D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D015864:Panuveitis / Q000235:genetics*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000235:genetics*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A