The association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene G894T polymorphism and hypertension in Han Chinese: a case-control study and an updated meta-analysis

Association between NOS3 gene polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to congenital heart Disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) can promote the expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines and is favorable for angiogenesis. However, the relationship between NOS3 gene polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to congenital heart disease (CHD) was still unclear.

METHODS

We searched five databases including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wan Fang, to find all studies on NOS3 gene polymorphisms and CHD. Rstudio was used to merge the data included in the study to obtain OR, 95%CI, and forest plots.

RESULTS

Five relevant literatures were included, including three sites of NOS3 gene, rs1799983 (G894T), rs2070744 (T-786C), and rs7830 (G10T). Several models including the homozygous model of rs1799983 (G894T) gene polymorphism (TT VS GG: OR = 1.602, 95%CI: 1.098 ∼ 2.337, P = 0.027), rs7830 (G10T) gene polymorphism allele model (A VS C: OR = 1.171, 95%CI: 1.029 ∼ 1.333, P = 0.017), homozygous model (AA VS CC: OR = 1.474, 95%CI: 1.122 ∼ 1.936, P = 0.005) and implicit model (AA VS CC + AC: OR = 1.451, 95%CI: 1.133 ∼ 1.859, P = 0.003) indicated that there was a correlation. The results of the combined analysis of each gene model of rs2070744 (T-786C) gene polymorphism sites were not statistically significant, and their P values were all>0.05.

CONCLUSION

rs1799983 (G894T) and rs7830 (G10T) polymorphic sites might play a role in the susceptibility of sporadic congenital heart disease and increase the risk of CHD. Yet, it is still necessary to expand the sample size and conduct more prospective/retrospective studies to confirm whether the rs2070744 (T-786C) polymorphism tended to increase the incidence of CHD.

Interactions of the eNOS and ACE genes and cigarette smoking in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disorder with unexplained heritability. Interactions of genetic and environmental factors are thought to be crucial in COPD. So, we aim to examine interactions of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes and cigarette smoking in COPD.

Methods

The eNOS G 894T and ACE ID variants were analyzed in 122 COPD patients and 200 controls from Serbia. The effect of the variants on COPD was assessed by logistic regression. Interactions between eNOS, ACE and cigarette smoking in COPD were evaluated using a case-control model. Interaction between the genes was analyzed in silico.

Results

No effect of the eNOS G 894T and ACE ID variants on COPD was found in our study. Gene-gene interaction between the eN OS T T and A CE D was identified (p=0.033) in COPD. The interaction is realized within the complex network of biochemical pathways. Gene-environment interactions between the eNOS T and cigarette smoking (p=0.013), and the ACE II and cigarette smoking (p=0.009) were detected in COPD in our study.

Conclusions

This is the first research to reveal interactions of the eNOS and ACE genes and cigarette smoking in COPD progressing our understanding of COPD heritability and contributing to the development of appropriate treatments.

Bisphenol A, S, and F exposure, ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of hypertension

While bisphenol A (BPA) exposure was inconsistently associated with hypertension risk, little is known about whether its alternatives bisphenol S and F (BPS and BPF) have similar hypertensive effects. Furthermore, epidemiologic studies on the genetic susceptibility to the hypertensive effects of bisphenols are scarce. We conducted a case-control study in 439 pairs of hypertension cases and matched controls. Urinary bisphenols concentrations were measured to characterize the internal exposure levels. The genotyping of ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS was performed by a multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. BPA exposure was positively associated with hypertension risk. Carriers of rs2234693 C allele in ESR1 were associated with increased hypertension risk. Significant associations of BPA exposure with increased hypertension risk were suggested in individuals with the major allele of rs1256049 in ESR2, rs769214 in CAT, and rs1799983 in eNOS. Besides, rs4755374 in CAT might modify the association of BPA exposure with hypertension risk. Individuals with specific genotypes in ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS might be more susceptible to the hypertensive effects of BPA.

Association between eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism and hypertension: a meta-analysis involving 14,185 cases and 13,407 controls

BACKGROUND

Essential hypertension is a complex disease determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, eNOS is considered to be one of the susceptible genes for hypertension. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism and hypertension, and to provide evidence for the etiology of hypertension.

METHODS

Case-control studies of eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism and hypertension were included by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, WanFang datebase, Vip datebase, and CNKI database according to PRISMA guideline. Eligible data were extracted and pooled, and were analyzed using R software based on five different genetic models.

RESULTS

A total of 60 eligible articles involving 14,185 cases and 13,407 controls were finally selected. We found significant association between eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism and hypertension under any genetic model (T vs G: OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.63; GT vs GG: OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18-1.52; TT vs GG: OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.41-2.31; GT + TT vs GG: OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.25-1.63; TT vs GG + GT: OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.35-2.08; GT vs GG + TT: OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.40).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of hypertension under any genetic model. Moreover, investigations of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions are needed to give more insight into the association between eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism and hypertension.

Polymorphism rs7214723 in CAMKK1: a new genetic variant associated with cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. CVDs have a complex etiology due to the several factors underlying its development including environment, lifestyle, and genetics. Given the role of calcium signal transduction in several CVDs, we investigated via PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7214723 within the calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase 1 (CAMKK1) gene coding for the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase I. The variant rs7214723 causes E375G substitution within the kinase domain of CAMKK1. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 cardiac patients. RFLP-PCR technique was applied, and statistical analysis was performed to evaluate genotypic and allelic frequencies and to identify an association between SNP and risk of developing specific CVD. Genotype and allele frequencies for rs7214723 were statistically different between cardiopathic and several European reference populations. A logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, diabetes, hypertension, BMI and previous history of malignancy was applied on cardiopathic genotypic data and no association was found between rs7214723 polymorphism and risk of developing specific coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis (AS). These results suggest the potential role of rs7214723 in CVD susceptibility as a possible genetic biomarker.

Gene polymorphisms in calcium-calmodulin pathway: Focus on cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and affects an increasing number of people. Several risk factors play an important role in the etiology of this disease, such as an unhealthy lifestyle. It is increasingly clear that genetic factors influencing the molecular basis of excitation-contraction mechanisms in the heart could contribute to modify the individual's risk. Thanks to the progress that has been made in understanding calcium signaling in the heart, it is assumed that calmodulin can play a crucial role in the excitation-contraction coupling. In fact, calmodulin (CaM) binds calcium and consequently regulates calcium channels. Several works show how some polymorphic variants can be considered predisposing factors to complex pathologies. Therefore, we hypothesize that the identification of polymorphic variants of proteins involved in the CaM pathway could be important for understanding how genetic traits can influence predisposition to myocardial infarction. This review considers each pathway of the three different isoforms of calmodulin (CaM1; CaM2; CaM3) and focuses on some common proteins involved in the three pathways, with the aim of analyzing the polymorphisms studied in the literature and understanding if they are associated with cardiovascular disease.

Ancestry and genetic associations with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants is a common and often severe lung disease with long-term sequelae. A genetic component is suspected but not fully defined. We performed an ancestry and genome-wide association study to identify variants, genes, and pathways associated with survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in 387 high-risk infants treated with inhaled nitric oxide in the Trial of Late Surfactant study. Global African genetic ancestry was associated with increased survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia among infants of maternal self-reported Hispanic white race/ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) = 4.5, P = 0.01]. Admixture mapping found suggestive outcome associations with local African ancestry at chromosome bands 18q21 and 10q22 among infants of maternal self-reported African-American race/ethnicity. For all infants, the top individual variant identified was within the intron of NBL1, which is expressed in midtrimester lung and is an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins ( rs372271081 , OR = 0.17, P = 7.4 × 10^-7). The protective allele of this variant was significantly associated with lower nitric oxide metabolites in the urine of non-Hispanic white infants ( P = 0.006), supporting a role in the racial differential response to nitric oxide. Interrogating genes upregulated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia lungs indicated association with variants in CCL18, a cytokine associated with fibrosis and interstitial lung disease, and pathway analyses implicated variation in genes involved in immune/inflammatory processes in response to infection and mechanical ventilation. Our results suggest that genetic variation related to lung development, drug metabolism, and immune response contribute to individual and racial/ethnic differences in respiratory outcomes following inhaled nitric oxide treatment of high-risk premature infants.

Prevalence of pre-high blood pressure and high blood pressure among non-overweight children and adolescents using international blood pressure references in developed regions in China

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of data on the prevalence of pre-high blood pressure (PreHBP) and high blood pressure (HBP), based on recent international blood pressure references, in non-overweight children and adolescents.

AIM

To describe the prevalence of PreHBP and HBP in non-overweight children and adolescents in developed regions of China.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In total, 588 097 non-overweight children and adolescents aged 6-17 years from the National Surveys on Chinese Students' Constitution and Health in 2015 were included.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PreHBP was 13.41% and subjects in urban areas had a higher prevalence of PreHBP (14.14%) than those in rural areas (12.92%). Subjects in regions with a high (13.56%) or moderate (13.61%) socioeconomic status showed a higher prevalence of PreHBP than those in regions with a relatively low socioeconomic status (12.76%). A similar pattern was found for the prevalence of HBP, and the prevalence of HBP was 18.25% for all participants, 20.55% for subjects in urban areas, 16.71% in rural areas, 18.76% in high socioeconomic areas, 18.62% in moderate socioeconomic areas and 16.70% in relatively low socioeconomic areas.

CONCLUSION

A large proportion of non-overweight children and adolescents had elevated blood pressure and there were urban-rural and socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure.

Prognostic impact of gene polymorphisms in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether genetic polymorphisms (single-nucleotide polymorphism [SNPs]) have a prognostic influence on hearing recovery after standardized corticosteroid therapy.

METHODS

A total of 192 gene samples from idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients registered in the Intractable Inner Ear Disease Gene Bank were enrolled and, as the candidate genes, 16 SNPs from 13 genes were selected for this study. Fischer's exact test was used to compare allele frequencies in each SNP between the patients with good hearing recovery and patients with poor hearing recovery.

RESULTS

The SNPs of the GSR gene (rs2251780 and rs3779647) and NOS3 gene (rs1799983) were associated with treatment outcome (p < .05). Furthermore, there was a marginal correlation between the SNP of the NR3C1 gene (rs4912910) and treatment outcome (p = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the analysis of genetic factors might make it possible to predict the treatment outcome, at least in part, in patients with idiopathic SSNHL.

Role of flavonoids and nitrates in cardiovascular health

CVD remain the leading cause of death globally. Effective dietary strategies for their reduction are of high priority. Increasing evidence suggests that phytochemicals, particularly dietary flavonoids and nitrates, are key modulators of CVD risk reduction through impact on multiple risk factors. The aim of this review is to explore the evidence for the impact of flavonoid- and nitrate-rich foods and supplements on CVD risk, with specific reference to their importance as mediators of vascular health and platelet function. There is accumulating evidence to support benefits of dietary flavonoids on cardiovascular health. Dose-dependent recovery of endothelial function and lowering of blood pressure have been reported for the flavanol (-)-epicatechin, found in cocoa, apples and tea, through production and availability of endothelial nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, flavonoids, including quercetin and its metabolites, reduce in vitro and ex vivo platelet function via inhibition of phosphorylation-dependent cellular signalling pathways, although further in vivo studies are required to substantiate these mechanistic effects. Hypotensive effects of dietary nitrates have been consistently reported in healthy subjects in acute and chronic settings, although there is less evidence for these effects in patient groups. Proposed mechanisms of actions include endothelial-independent NO availability, which is dependent on the entro-salivary circulation and microbial conversion of dietary nitrate to nitrite in the mouth. In conclusion, flavonoid- and nitrate-rich foods show promising effects on vascular function, yet further randomly controlled studies are required to confirm these findings and to determine effective doses.

Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene G894T polymorphism with hypertension risk and complications

This study evaluated the association of NOS3 polymorphisms with hypertension risk and complications. eNOS (G894T) SNP was performed by RT-PCR on 70 hypertensive patients (25 were hypertensive, 25 were hypertensive with CAD, and 20 were diabetic with hypertension) and 30 age- and gender-matched individuals. Lipid and glucose profile were assessed by standard colorimetric assay. Our results revealed that combination of (GT + TT) genotype and T allele significantly increases the risk of hypertension (OR = 3.86 and 4.33), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed significant association between CAD with eNOS (G894T) mutant genotype (P = 0.002) and allele frequency (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mutant homozygous and heterozygous eNOS genotype together were significantly associated with higher TC, LDLc, (P < 0.001), and TG (P = 0.001). Thus, hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.001 and OR = 12.48) increases the risk of hypertension among T carrier. These results indicated that the T carriers significantly increase hypertension risk and complication (CAD), mainly with hypercholesterolemia and in elderly.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase: From biochemistry and gene structure to clinical implications of NOS3 polymorphisms

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important vasodilator with a well-established role in cardiovascular homeostasis. While mediator is synthesized from L-arginine by neuronal, endothelial, and inducible nitric oxide synthases (NOS1,NOS3 and NOS2 respectively), NOS3 is the most important isoform for NO formation in the cardiovascular system. NOS3 is a dimeric enzyme whose expression and activity are regulated at transcriptional, posttranscriptional,and posttranslational levels. The NOS3 gene, which encodes NOS3, exhibits a number of polymorphic sites including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs), microsatellites, and insertions/deletions. Some NOS3 polymorphisms show functional effects on NOS3 expression or activity, thereby affecting NO formation. Interestingly, many studies have evaluated the effects of functional NOS3 polymorphisms on disease susceptibility and drug responses. Moreover, some studies have investigated how NOS3 haplotypes may impact endogenous NO formation and disease susceptibility. In this article,we carried out a comprehensive review to provide a basic understanding of biochemical mechanisms involved in NOS3 regulation and how genetic variations in NOS3 may translate into relevant clinical and pharmacogenetic implications.