title: Association of Nitric Oxide Levels and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase G894T Polymorphism with Coronary Artery Disease in the Iranian Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) G894T polymorphism has been reported to cause endothelial dysfunction and may have a role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of eNOS G894T genetic polymorphism and plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) with CAD risk in an Iranian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 200 patients with angiographically documented CAD and 100 matched controls. Analysis of G894T genetic polymorphism of eNOS was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Plasma levels of NO were determined using Griess method. Biochemical analysis was conducted by routine colorimetric methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of NO were significantly lower in CAD patients than control subjects (41.60±12.70 vs. 55.48±16.57, P=0.001). Also, the mean plasma levels of NO were significantly lower in T allele carriers of eNOS G894T polymorphism than G allele carriers (P<0.001). The genotype distribution and minor T allele frequency of eNOS G894T polymorphism significantly differed between CAD patients and control subjects (P<0.05). However, no significant association was found between the eNOS G894T polymorphism and the severity of CAD (number of diseased vessel) or the lipid profile of CAD patients (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced plasma level of NO is associated with increased risk of CAD in our population. Moreover, eNOS G894T polymorphism is a significant risk factor for CAD development via reducing the plasma levels of NO. However, eNOS G894T polymorphism is not a contributing factor for the severity of CAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Tehran.
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahmoodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nasehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Tehran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karami
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Soleiman
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Soltanpour
keywords: Coronary artery disease; Nitric oxide synthase type III; Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism; Single nucleotide polymorphism G894T