The relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (T-786 C) and coronary artery disease in a Turkish population

Objectives: It has been shown that mutations in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction, and hypertension. We investigated the association of eNOS gene polymorphism (T-786 C) with coronary artery disease in a Turkish population. Study design: The study included 211 patients (144 males, 67 females, mean age 59 years; range 27 to 85 years) who underwent coronary angiography. While 159 patients (75.4%) had angiographically shown CAD (>= 50% stenosis at least in one vessel), 52 subjects (24.6%) were free of the disease. Those with CAD were classified according to the number of vessels affected. Polymerase chain reaction was used for genotyping. Risk factors for CAD were analyzed by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Genotypical and allelic distribution significantly differed between the two groups (p<0.05). The CC genotype was more prevalent in patients with three-vessel disease (p<0.001). Compared with TT homozygotes, the number of patients carrying at least one C allele (TC+CC, C dominant model) was significantly higher among CAD patients (p<0.01) and in those with three-vessel disease (p<0.001). With respect to allelic distribution (T vs C, additive model), the frequency of the C (cytosine) allele was higher in CAD (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that C-dominant individuals had a 2.9-fold likelihood for CAD (odds ratio 2.902, 95% confidence interval 1.272-6.622; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the T-786 C polymorphism of the eNOS gene may be involved as a risk factor in the prevalence of CAD in Turkish patients.