G-231A and G+70C Polymorphisms of Endothelin Receptor Type-A Gene could Affect the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score and Endothelin 1 Levels

Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) rs2070744 variant with advanced retinopathy of prematurity: a case-control study and meta-analysis

Despite advances in neonatal and ophthalmological care, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to be a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Investigating gene variants associated with vascular responses in ROP may provide valuable insights into its pathogenesis and identify risk or protective factors. Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) play roles in vascular regulation, influencing processes relevant to ROP development. Functional variants of genes encoding endothelial NO sythetase (NOS3 rs1799983, rs2070744), endothelin-1 (EDN1 rs5370), and endothelin receptor A (EDNRA rs5335) may influence ROP development or progression. The results of our study support the role of the rs2070744 variant in ROP. We identified the protective effect of the rs2070744C allele against the development of ROP requiring treatment, also after adjusting for covariates. Meta-analysis including 298 patients and 397 controls confirmed this protective role. The rs2070744CC homozygous genotype exhibited an odds ratio (OR) of 0.42 (adjusted P = 0.036). Additional meta-analysis results for NOS3 rs1799983 are presented, suggesting potential risk in a recessive model. No associations were found between EDN1, EDNRA variants, and ROP. Exploring genetic predispositions in ROP, including vascular regulation genes, can lead to personalized prevention and treatment approaches. Our results need to be replicated in a larger sample of premature infants.

Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity: The Role of Endothelial Dysfunction

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality accounting up to 40% of all deaths, but, currently, cancer is prominent cause of death globally. Anthracyclines are the cornerstone of chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. However, its clinical use is limited by their cardiotoxic effects that can trigger heart failure development. Vascular toxicity of chemotherapy may be linked with endothelial dysfunction because anthracycline damage of endothelial cells can lead to the development and progression of cardiomyopathy by decreasing the release and activity of endothelial factors and, ultimately, endothelial cell death. These processes suppress anti-inflammatory and vascular reparative functions and initiate the development of future cardiovascular events. Recent studies have shown that chemotherapy may induce toxicity in the vascular endothelium and is accompanied by systemic endothelial dysfunction in patients with diagnosed cardiovascular diseases. Because the initial endothelial cell insult is likely asymptomatic, there is often a long delay between the termination of doxorubicin therapy and the onset of vascular disorders. In this case, genetic susceptibility factor will help to identify susceptible patients in the future. The objectives of this study were to evaluate prognostic role of molecular (endothelin-1) and genetic factors (gene polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS3, rs1799983), endothelin-1 receptor type A (EDNRA, C+70G, rs5335) and NADPH oxidase (C242T, rs4673) in development of endothelial dysfunction and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in women without cardiovascular diseases.

Positive Association between EDN1 rs5370 (Lys198Asn) Polymorphism and Large Artery Stroke in a Ukrainian Population

There are a lot of convincing evidences about the involvement of endothelin pathway proteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its fatal complications. In this study, the analysis of a possible association between EDN1 rs5370 and EDNRA rs5335 gene polymorphisms and the risk of large artery stroke (LAS) in a Ukrainian population was conducted. 200 LAS patients and 200 unrelated controls were enrolled in a case-control study. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP) was used for SNP genotyping. Our results revealed that EDN1 rs5370 polymorphism was associated with LAS development both before and after adjustment for atherosclerosis risk factors (sex, age, body mass index, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking). The risk for a LAS incident in rs5370-T allele carriers was 1.6 times higher (CI = 1.066–2.403; P = 0.020) than in subjects with the GG genotype. No link between EDNRA rs5335 and LAS risk in a Ukrainian population was found. The present study indicated that EDN1 rs5370, but not EDNRA rs5335, can be the strong genetic predictor for LAS development in a Ukrainian population.