The polymorphism G894T of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is associated with susceptibility to essential hypertension (EH) in Morocco

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a multifactorial disease involving both environmental and genetic Factros. G894T eNOS polymorphism has been suggested to be responsible for reduced NO synthesis, and EH development. The objective of our case-control study is to evaluate the potential association of G894T eNOS polymorphism with Essential Hypertension (EH) susceptibility, among a sample of Moroccan patients. Methods: One hundred forty five hypertensive patients were recruited from the department of Cardiology, University Hospital Center Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Morocco, and compared to 184 apparently healthy subjects. DNA samples were genotype by PCR-RFLP method using MboI restriction enzyme. Results: Our results showed a positive correlation between G894T eNOS distribution and Alcohol and Obesity rik factors (P=0.009 and 0.02 respectively). Patients with elevated Cardio Vascular Risk (CVR) carried out the higher frequency of homozygous mutant genotype TT (62.2%) and T mutant allele (77.8%), compared to median and low CVR groups. G894T eNOS distribution was significantly associated to a high risk of EH occurrence under the GT and TT genotypes (OR [95% CI]=20.2 [7.7-52.4], P< 0.0001; OR [95% CI]=332.5 [98.2-1125.4], P< 0.0001 respectively), and the 3 genotypic transmission models (Dominant: OR [95% CI]=43.2 [17.9-104.09], P< 0.0001; Recessive: OR [95% CI]=47.7 [18.6-122.3]; P< 0.0001; Additive: OR [95% CI]=14.02 [9.6-20.45], P< 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study suggests a strong association of G894T eNOS polymorphism with susceptibility to EH in Morocco. Studies trying to identify contributing genes may be very useful and allow recognizing the vulnerable individuals and classifying patients in subgroups with definite genetic and pathogenic mechanisms to achieve better prevention and therapeutics.