Lack of association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms with vasculitis: a meta-analysis

Objective. We carried out this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between eNOS polymorphisms (G894T, T-786C, and intron-4ba) and vasculitis. Methods. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for related genetic association studies. The associations between the G894T, T-786C and intron 4ba polymorphisms of eNOS and vasculitis were conducted using the recessive model and the dominant model. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of each study were calculated. Cochran's Q test was used to evaluate the between-study heterogeneity. Results. A total of 17 studies were included in our study. Twelve studies with 1213 cases and 1499 controls were included in the G894T association study. The pooled OR of T allele compared to C allele in recessive model was 1.19 (95%CI: 0.76-1.87, p=0.44) in dominant model and was 1.25 (95%Cl: 0.70-2.23, p=0.56) in recessive model, respectively. Nine studies with 910 cases and 1062 controls were included in the intron -4ba association study. The pooled OR of b allele compared with intron-4a allele was 1.02 (95%Cl: 0.60 1.72, p=0.95) in dominant model and was 0.84 (95%CI: 0.58-1.21, p=0.35) in recessive model. No association was found between T-786C and vasculitis in both the dominant 0.81(95% CI: 0.59 1.11, p=0.19) and recessive model 0.87 (95%CI: 0.55-1.36, p=0.53). Conclusion. The eNOS G894T,T-786C and intron4ba polymorphisms are not associated with vasculitis.