title: The influence of COX-2 single nucleotide polymorphisms on abdominal aortic aneurysm development and the associated inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 influences cardiovascular disease and serum concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The study purpose was to determine the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the COX-2 gene on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development and serum hsCRP concentrations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with AAA and disease-free controls were recruited. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The distributions of COX-2 SNPs were investigated (rs20417 and rs4648307). The influence of the COX-2 SNPs on the hsCRP serum concentration was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 230 patients with AAA and 279 controls were included. No difference was found in the genotype distribution of the COX-2 SNPs rs20417 (P = .26) and rs4648307 (P = .90). They did not influence the hsCRP concentration (P = .24 and P = .61, respectively). Haplotype analysis of COX-2 SNPs revealed no difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These COX-2 SNPs do not play any role in AAA development and do not influence serum hsCRP. These results differentiate AAA development from atherosclerotic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Department, Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland. Stephen@Badger.tc
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Badger
authors.forename: Chee V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Soong
authors.forename: Ian S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGinty
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Anneq E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human