Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 Gene Polymorphisms and Their Association with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Stable...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Genetics
• Molecular Cardiology
• Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chronic stable angina (CSA), has known risk factors, with genetic predispositions playing a significant role.
• The nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene, crucial for nitric oxide (NO) production, is important in regulating atherosclerosis and preventing CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association of three NOS3 gene polymorphisms (-786C/T, 894G/T, and 4a4b) with CAD, specifically AMI and CSA.
• To compare the prevalence of these polymorphisms and plasma nitric oxide metabolite (NOx) levels between CAD patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of 100 AMI patients, 100 CSA patients, and 100 healthy controls for NOS3 polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.
• Measurement of plasma NOx levels in all study participants.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between the 894G/T NOS3 polymorphism and AMI (dominant model, P=0.052) and CSA (dominant and codominant models, P=0.008, P=0.006).
• Plasma NOx levels were significantly lower in both AMI (37.05 ± 6.75) and CSA (38.67 ± 5.61) patients compared to healthy controls (43.80 ± 6.28).
• No significant association was detected for the -786C/T and 4a4b NOS3 polymorphisms with AMI or CSA risk.

Conclusions:

• The 894G/T NOS3 polymorphism is significantly associated with AMI and CSA in the North Indian population.
• Plasma NOx levels are independently associated with CAD, highlighting their role in disease development.
• These findings contribute to identifying genetic risk factors for CAD and improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.