Serum Levels of Nitric Oxide No and Its Relation to Frequency of T-786C Polymorphism of Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene in Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Mutations in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOs) gene can reduced NO production. It is an endothelial relaxing factor and its decrease accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to measure serum level of NO and the frequency of T-786C polymorphism in a group of patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in comparision with control. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with angiographically diagnosed CAD and 60 age and sex matched CAD-free subjects were studied as control. Nitric oxide was measured by Griess Method. The genotype studies were carried out using allel specific PCR. Results: Serum levels of NO in patient groups were significantly lower than the controls (P‹0.05). Significantly higher frequency of eNOs -786C genotype was found in CAD patients than controls (P‹0.05), the differences reflected an increase in CC genotype at position -786 of No synthesis gene. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher in patient compared with controls (P‹0.05). Conclusion: The low levels of NO and high blood pressure in patient group may be related to high frequency of T-786C polymorphism in patient group and conversely T-786C polymorphism may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease, NO, Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene, T-786C polymorphism