title: Genetic influence on the relation between exhaled nitric oxide and pulse wave reflection.
abstract: Nitric oxide has an important role in the development of the structure and function of the airways and vessel walls. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) is inversely related to the markers and risk factors of atherosclerosis. We aimed to estimate the relative contribution of genes and shared and non-shared environmental influences to variations and covariation of FE(NO) levels and the marker of elasticity function of arteries. Adult Caucasian twin pairs (n = 117) were recruited in Hungary, Italy and in the United States (83 monozygotic and 34 dizygotic pairs; age: 48 ± 16 SD years). FE(NO) was measured by an electrochemical sensor-based device. Pulse wave reflection (aortic augmentation index, Aix(ao)) was determined by an oscillometric method (Arteriograph). A bivariate Cholesky decomposition model was applied to investigate whether the heritabilities of FE(NO) and Aix(ao) were linked. Genetic effects accounted for 58% (95% confidence interval (CI): 42%, 71%) of the variation in FE(NO) with the remaining 42% (95%CI: 29%, 58%) due to non-shared environmental influences. A modest negative correlation was observed between FE(NO) and Aix(ao) (r = -0.17; 95%CI:-0.32,-0.02). FE(NO) showed a significant negative genetic correlation with Aix(ao) (r(g) = -0.25; 95%CI:-0.46,-0.02). Thus in humans, variations in FE(NO) are explained both by genetic and non-shared environmental effects. Covariance between FE(NO) and Aix(ao) is explained entirely by shared genetic factors. This is consistent with an overlap among the sets of genes involved in the expression of these phenotypes and provides a basis for further genetic studies on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
authors: Department of Radiology and Oncotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, 78/a Ulloi Street, Budapest 1082, Hungary. tarnoki4@gmail.com
authors: David Laszlo
authors: DL
authors: Tarnoki
authors: Adam Domonkos
authors: AD
authors: Tarnoki
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Medda
authors: Levente
authors: L
authors: Littvay
authors: Zsofia
authors: Z
authors: Lazar
authors: Virgilia
authors: V
authors: Toccaceli
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: Fagnani
authors: Maria Antonietta
authors: MA
authors: Stazi
authors: Lorenza
authors: L
authors: Nisticó
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Brescianini
authors: Luana
authors: L
authors: Penna
authors: Pierleone
authors: P
authors: Lucatelli
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Boatta
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Zini
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Fanelli
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Baracchini
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Meneghetti
authors: Akos
authors: A
authors: Koller
authors: Janos
authors: J
authors: Osztovits
authors: Gyorgy
authors: G
authors: Jermendy
authors: Istvan
authors: I
authors: Preda
authors: Robert Gabor
authors: RG
authors: Kiss
authors: Kinga
authors: K
authors: Karlinger
authors: Agnes
authors: A
authors: Lannert
authors: Tamas
authors: T
authors: Horvath
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Schillaci
authors: Andrea Agnes
authors: AA
authors: Molnar
authors: Zsolt
authors: Z
authors: Garami
authors: Viktor
authors: V
authors: Berczi
authors: Ildiko
authors: I
authors: Horvath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D010641:Phenotype; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide