title: [Carotid and brachial intima-media thickness of the allelic variants G894T and T-789C of eNOS in systemic sclerosis patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate comparatively the carotid intima media thickness index (IMT) and brachial index with Doppler ultrasound, and pulmonary artery pressure with echocardiography in allelic variation of G894T and T-789C eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) in patients with systemic sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study in patients with scleroderma. The inclusion criteria were: age 18-70 years, scleroderma diagnosed patients with a prior informed consent. Polymorphism G894T and T-789C of eNOS was measured in blood, and IMT by carotid and brachial Doppler. We analyzed with descriptive statistics, Student's t test or chi square for association of variables and Spearman to correlate Doppler parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found abnormally high IMT in carotid and brachial arteries. We also observed low correlation between both brachial arteries, good correlation between carotids and no correlation between carotid and brachial arteries. The left IMT>0.65 mm in brachial artery corresponds to pulmonary pressure>30 mmHg by echocardiography. G894T gene polymorphism was associated with increased IMT in right carotid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The G894T eNOS polymorphism was associated with increased IMT in right carotid. The one side carotid IMT is consistent with its contralateral. The left brachial IMT above to 0.65 mm, suggests the possibility of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Distrito Federal. drapilarcd@prodigy.net.mx.
authors.forename: Ángeles
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Martínez-Godínez
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Miliar-García
authors.forename: María Itandehui
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Bautista-Jiménez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jandete-Rivera
authors.forename: Olga Lidia
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Vera-Lastra
authors.forename: Luis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bizueto-Rosas
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: del Pilar Cruz-Domínguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid and brachial IMT; Systemic sclerosis