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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
Published on: February 25, 2016
Evidence for associations between common polymorphisms of estrogen receptor beta gene with homocysteine and nitric
M Reimann1, K Vafeiadou, W L Hall
1Dietary Fibre and the Metabolic Syndrome Group, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany.
Background:
Homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) affect nitric oxide (NO) concentration, thereby contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both amino acids can be reduced in vivo by estrogen. Variation in the estrogen receptor (ER) may influence homocysteine and ADMA, yet no information is available on associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor genes ERalpha (PvuII and XbaI) and ERbeta (1730G-->A and cx + 56 G-->A).
Objective:
To find relationships between common polymorphisms associated with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine and ADMA.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study with healthy postmenopausal women (n = 89), homocysteine, ADMA, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), plasma folate and ERalpha and beta polymorphisms ERalpha PvuII, ERalpha XbaI; ERbeta 1730G-->A (AluI), ERbeta cx + 56 G-->A (Tsp509I) were analyzed.
Results:
Women who are homozygotic for ERbetacx + 56 G-->A A/A exhibited higher homocysteine (p = 0.012) and NOx (p = 0.056) levels than wildtype or heterozygotes. NOx concentration was also significantly affected by ERbeta 1730 G -->A polymorphism (p = 0.025). The ERbeta (p < 0.001) and ERalpha (p < 0.001) polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium.
Conclusions:
Women who are homozygotic for ERbetacx + 56 G-->A A/A may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to higher homocysteine levels.
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