title: Right Ventricular Adaptation Is Associated with the Glu298Asp Variant of the NOS3 Gene in Elite Athletes.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO), an important endogenous pulmonary vasodilator is synthetized by the endothelial NO synthase (NOS3). Reduced NO bioavailability and thus the Glu298Asp polymorphism of NOS3 may enhance right ventricular (RV) afterload and hypertrophic remodeling and influence athletic performance. To test this hypothesis world class level athletes (water polo players, kayakers, canoeists, rowers, swimmers, n = 126) with a VO2 maximum greater than 50ml/kg/min were compared with non-athletic volunteers (n = 155). Cardiopulmonary exercise tests and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) were performed to determine structural or functional changes. Genotype distribution of the NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism was not affected by gender or physical performance. Cardiac MRI showed increased stroke volume with eccentric hypertrophy in all athletes regardless of their genotype. However, the Asp allelic variant carriers had increased RV mass index (32±6g versus 27±6g, p<0.01) and larger RV stroke volume index (71±10ml versus 64±10ml, p<0.01) than athletes with a Glu/Glu genotype. Genotype was not significantly associated with athletic performance. In the non-athletic group no genotype related differences were detected. The association between the NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism and RV structure and dimension in elite athletes emphasizes the importance of NOS3 gene function and NO bioavailability in sport related cardiac adaptation.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szelid
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Árpád
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Lux
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Márton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolossváry
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tóth
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Hajnalka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vágó
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lendvai
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maurovich-Horvat
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bagyura
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Merkely
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III