Association between genetic polymorphisms of ACE, eNOS, DDAH-2 and ADMA, SDMA and NOx with coronary artery disease in Tunisian population

Background: While a number of genetic and environmental risk factors for coronary heart diseases have been identified. This study was designed to determine the association between NOS, ACE and DDAH-2 gene polymorphism and CAD with regard to the plasma levels of ADMA, SDMA and NOx in Tunisian population. Methods: Relevant clinical parameters were measured and peripheral whole blood obtained for genetic analysis on 193 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 104 CAD free control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine genotype distributions for three polymorphic DDAH-2 rs3131383, ACE rs4291 and NOS rs2070744 and evaluated the association with plasma NOx, ADMA and SDMA concentration, them a potential predictor of CAD in a Tunisian population. Results: Significant differences in the distribution of the ACE and DDAH-2 polymorphisms were observed between CAD and controls but no difference was detected in eNOS gene T-786C polymorphism. Conclusion: ACE and DDAH-2 polymorphism were associated with an increased risk of CAD in Tunisian population.