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Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Matrix Gla Protein and Nitric Oxide Synthase-3 Genetic Variants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Relation with
G Priyadarshini1, Sreejith Parameswaran2, Jayaprakash Sahoo3
1Department of Biochemistry Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
Insights
Genetic variants in the matrix Gla protein (MGP) and nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) genes increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated cardiovascular disease in South Indian Tamils.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive loss of kidney function.
- CKD significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular events, a link not fully understood.
- Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in the CKD-cardiovascular disease association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between genetic variants in the MGP and NOS3 genes and the risk of CKD.
- To examine the influence of these genetic variants on cardiovascular comorbidity in CKD patients.
- To explore the relationship between these genetic variants, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and endothelial function.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of MGP (rs1800801, rs1800802, rs4236) and NOS3 (rs1799983, rs2070744) polymorphisms in 185 CKD patients and 185 controls.
- Measurement of circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels using ELISA.
- Assessment of brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) via ultrasound to evaluate endothelial function.
Main Results:
- Specific genotypes of NOS3 (rs2070744) and MGP polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of CKD.
- Lower NO levels were observed in CKD patients compared to controls.
- Certain MGP and NOS3 genotypes correlated with decreased FMD, indicating endothelial dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variations in MGP and NOS3 genes contribute to the risk of developing CKD.
- These genetic factors also appear to enhance the risk of cardiovascular complications in individuals with CKD.
- The study highlights the role of genetic predisposition in the complex interplay between CKD and cardiovascular disease in the South Indian Tamil population.
Background:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by gradual deterioration of renal parenchyma and decline of functioning nephrons. The risk of cardiovascular events is drastically increased in patients with CKD. This complicated link of CKD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not well understood till date.
Objective:
We aim to study the influence of genetic variants of matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene rs1800801, rs1800802, and rs4236 and nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) gene rs1799983 and rs2070744 on the risk of CKD and its associated cardiovascular comorbidity in South Indian Tamils.
Methods:
One hundred and eighty-five CKD patients and 185 controls were recruited in this research. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery was measured ultrasonically. Circulating levels of MGP and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by ELISA. Genotyping was done by real-time PCR.
Results:
We observed a significant difference in the distribution of TT and CT genotypes of NOS3 (rs2070744), indicating an increase in the risk of CKD. NO level was significantly decreased in CKD cases than controls. We also found a significant difference in the distribution of TTA and CCG haplotypes of MGP polymorphisms (1-rs4236; 2-rs1800801; 3-rs1800802) between the groups, indicating an increase in the risk of CKD. CT genotype of MGP (rs4236) and CT genotype of NOS3 (rs2070744) variants were found to be associated with decreased FMD, indicating endothelial dysfunction, the harbinger of CVD.
Conclusion:
We conclude that genetic variants of MGP and NOS3 enhance the risk of CKD and its associated cardiovascular comorbidity in South Indian Tamils.
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