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Year : 2020 Month : March Volume : 9 Issue : 11 Page : 833-837

Role of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (T786C) Gene Polymorphism in the Development of Coronary Artery Disease.

Deepak Tangadi1, Namrata Bhutani2, Prabhash Bhavsar3

1Department of Biochemistry, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
2Department of Biochemistry, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
3Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Dungarpur, Rajasthan, India.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. Namrata Bhutani,
Email : namrata.bhutani@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Namrata Bhutani,
D-162, Tagore Garden Extn.,
New Delhi-110027,
India.
E-mail: namrata.bhutani@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest a cause and effect relationship between eNOS gene polymorphism and increased incidence of insulin resistance as NO deficiency is associated with decreased vasodilation and altered binding of insulin to insulin receptor. Current studies suggest a worldwide association between eNOS-786T/C gene polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to insulin resistance. We wanted to study eNOS -786T/C gene polymorphism, nitric oxide and insulin Resistance in patients with CAD in Indian population.

METHODS

This study consisted of 60 cases who were adult patients with documented coronary artery disease. 60 age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. In these groups, fasting serum insulin was measured by ELISA, fasting serum nitric oxide by modified Griess reaction and fasting plasma glucose on fully automated chemistry analyser (Hitachi 902). Furthermore, HOMA-IR was calculated mathematically. The eNOS gene loci was amplified by using PCR and by RFLP. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed with  SPSS.

RESULTS

The mean serum NO levels were very significantly lower in case groups and mean HOMA-IR levels in the study group were significantly higher as compared to the control group (p=0.000) suggesting the role of insulin resistance in CAD. The frequency of Tallele was 76.67% in the study group and 81.67% in the control group while the frequency of Callele was 23.33% in the study group and 18.33% in the control group respectively. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0123).

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (T786C) gene polymorphism, is significantly associated with occurrence of coronary artery disease. Thus, this polymorphism could be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease in adult Indian population.

KEY WORDS

Coronary Artery Disease, Nitric Oxide, Insulin Resistance, Polymorphism, RFLP

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been labelled as a new age epidemic. By 2050, it is predicted to contribute to 34% of deaths in males and 32% of deaths in females in India.1 Current research suggests that majority of Coronary Artery Disease events are observed in individuals with at least one of the Coronary Artery Disease risk factors.2 Moreover, around 25 percent of coronary disease patients suffer from sudden death or myocardial infarction without any previous symptoms.3 Therefore, it is important to focus on the novel biomarkers that predict coronary risk. Also, it is known that endothelial dysfunction occurs due to cardiovascular risk factors and occurs prior to the development of atherosclerosis. Increase in prevalence of insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and Coronary Artery Disease has been associated with an increase in western lifestyles and urbanization.4

The complex interaction between various genetic, environmental factors and life style modification factors are responsible for triggering insulin resistance and further development of T2D and Coronary Artery Disease. The precise cause and mechanism of Insulin resistance still remains to be elucidated and there is need to identify other causative risk factors and modify treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) is formed from L-arginine by a group of enzymes, Nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and is responsible for regulating the basal vascular tone. Apart from relaxing the vascular muscles, Nitric Oxide inhibits adhesion of platelet and leukocytes to vascular endothelium, it also inhibits the migration and growth of vascular smooth muscle cell, and controls the oxidation of atherogenic low density lipoprotein5. Studies on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) knockout mice have demonstrated that decreased Nitric oxide synthesis contributes to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD).6

Recent studies suggest a cause and effect relationship between eNOS gene polymorphism and increase incidence of insulin resistance as Nitric oxide deficiency is associated with decreased vasodilation and altered binding of insulin to insulin receptor resulting in diminished insulin-mediated vasodilation. However, several other studies have shown variable results.7 So, further research is needed to explore the exact relationship between eNOS -786T/C polymorphism and development of insulin resistance in patients with T2D with CAD. Recent studies worldwide suggest an association between eNOS -786T/C gene polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to insulin resistance.8 Data suggested NOS -786T/C gene polymorphism is distinct in specific population group, ethnicity and geographic region and perhaps this genetic variability might produce different results on exposure to various environmental factors.9 Besides there is hardly any data available in Indian population.10 So further research is needed to explore the complex interaction between environmental factors and eNOS -786T/C gene polymorphism in susceptibility to insulin resistance in patients with Coronary Artery Disease in Indian population.11 There is paucity of literature regarding association of eNOS gene (T786C) polymorphism and Insulin resistance in patients with Coronary Artery Disease in Indian population.

The studies associating NOS gene (T786C) polymorphism and risk of insulin resistance have yielded variable results.12 Hence the present study is planned to investigate the association of eNOS gene (T786C) polymorphism and Insulin resistance in patients with Coronary Artery Disease in Indian scenario.

                This study aimed to study endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (T786C) gene polymorphism, Nitric oxide level and Insulin Resistance in patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

METHODS

The study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry and Department of Cardiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi. This was a hospital based case– control (observational) study conducted on patients attending Cardiac OPD in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. The study population consisted of 60 adult patients of either sex with documented CAD. Consisted of 60 age and sex matched healthy subjects. All angiographically proven cases of coronary artery disease were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Diagnosed cases of Type 1 & 2 Diabetes mellitus.
  2. Patients with congenital heart diseases.
  3. Chronic kidney and liver disease.
  4. Any history of debilitating illness. Any history of drugs affecting NO levels.

 

The study was conducted after institutional Ethical Committee approval and informed consent was taken from all patients and controls. Bilingual in formed written consent was taken from the patients. Detailed clinical history with special reference to Coronary Artery Disease and thorough clinical examination of patient was conducted. Necessary anthropometric measurements like height, weight and body mass index were taken. Venous blood was collected from subjects under sterile conditions after overnight fasting. The whole blood collected in EDTA vacutainer was transferred to Eppendorf and Storedat-20 degree Celsius till DNA was extracted for PCR and RFLP. Nitric oxide in serum was determined indirectly by the measurement of its stable decomposition product nitrite (NO2), by employing the Griess reaction according to the modified method of Mathew et al.13

Estimation of Blood Glucose

Blood Glucose estimation was done by Glucose oxidase peroxidase method using commercially available kit Randox GL 7952 on automated chemistry analyser Hitachi 902.

HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model of Assessment- Insulin Resistance)

Insulin resistance was calculated mathematically by using formula given by Matthew et al.14 Fasting Glucose (mg/dl) x fasting Insulin (µU/mL)/ 405 Manual DNA extraction by the method of Daly’s et al.15

 

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification

The required region of NOS3 gene from genomic DNA was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction in MJ Research PTC-100TM (Peltier Thermal Cycler).

 

Primer Sequence for NOS3

Forward Primer: 5’- GTCTCTCAGCTTCCGTTTCTT-3’

Reverse Primer: 5’- CCTTGAGTCTGACATTAGGGTATC-3’

These primers were used to amplify a458bp product for T-786C (rs2070744)

Reagents Required

1.             Template DNA (e.g. genomic DNA): 200-300ng

2.             Forward and reverse PCR primers (active oligos): 0.3pM

3.             MgCl2 (present in PCR Buffer):           20 mM

4.             dNTPs (a mixture of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP): (Thermo Fischer Scientific)

5.             10× PCR buffer (Thermo Fischer Scientific): 200μM

6.             TaqDNA polymerase (Dream Taq, Thermo Fischer Scientific):      1X

7.             Water to make total volume up to 20 μl: 0.3pM

 

The thermal cycling conditions were carried out in a PTC-100TM (Peltier Thermal Cycler) machine as follows- Denaturation at 950C for 2 min, 30 cycles of denaturation at 950C for 30 sec, annealing at 580C for30 sec, elongation at 720C for 90 sec, followed by a final elongation step at 720C for 10 min. The PCR products were analysed in a 2% agarose gel in a 1X TAE buffer system. This product was digested with restriction enzyme separately to reveal the genotype for the SNP.

Condition for Digestion

The PCR product (10 µl) was digested individually with 1 µl (10 unit/µl) of Msp1 (Krishgen) with 2 µl of 10x restriction buffer and 18 µl of nuclease free water incubated at 37oC for 16 hours. Digested product was analysed in a 2% agarose gel. The TT genotype produced two fragments of 303bp and 155bp, while TC genotype produced three fragments of 257bp, 155bp and 46bp.

Statistical Analysis

A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of SPSS version 20. The data was subjected to t-test & dichotomous variables and allele frequencies were analysed by Chi-Square test. For correlation of two continuous variables, correlation coefficient was used.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 56.66% males and 43.33% females whereas the control group consisted of 60% males and 40% females. The mean HOMA-IR was higher in the cases (2.46±1.16) as compared to the controls (1.63±0.69), with statistically significant difference (p=0.000). Endothelial Nitric Oxide (eNOS) gene variants (T786-C) was determined in both groups. TT genotype was found in 32 subjects in the study group (53.33%) and in 38 subjects in the control group (63.33%), whereas the TC genotype was found in 28 subjects in the study group (46.66%) and in 22 subjects in the control group (36.66%) respectively. No CCgeno type was found in any group. The genotype distribution was in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of Tallele was 76.67% in the study group and 81.67% in the control group while the frequency of Callele was 23.33% in the study group 18.33% in the control group respectively. This difference was found to be statistically significant. (p=0.0123, table 3).

 

Figure 1. Age Distribution of Cases and Controls

 

Figure 2. Gender Distribution of Cases and Controls

 

Parameters

Cases (n=60) (Mean ± SEM)

Controls (n=60) (Mean ± SEM)

p Value

Height (metres)

1.641±0.01

1.649±0.01

0.612

Weight (Kg)

70.20±1.662

67.73±1.583

0.285

BMI (Kg/metre2)

25.89±0.40

24.83±0.45

0.085

Systolic BP (mm of Hg)

131.93±0.91

126.16±1.03

0.000*

Diastolic BP (mm of Hg)

80.57±0.83

80.27±0.76

0.791

*p≤0.000 is statistically very significant

Table 1. Demographic and Anthropometric Parameters

 of the Study Group

 

Parameters

Cases (n=60)

(Mean ± SD)

Controls (n=60) (Mean ± SD)

p Value

FPG

95.33±2.92

93.06±3.95

0.001*

Insulin

10.41±4.72

7.10±2.94

0.000*

HOMA-IR

2.46±1.16

1.63±0.69

0.000*

Table 2. Glycaemic Profile of the Study Population

*p≤0.000 is statistically very significant

 

Genotype

Cases (n=60)

Controls (n=60)

Level of Significance

N

Frequency

N

Frequency

0.0123

TT

32

53.33

38

63.33

TC

28

46.66

22

36.66

CC

0

0

0

0

Table 3. Distribution of Genotype of T-786C (rs2070744) Polymorphism in the Study and Control Groups

 

DISCUSSION

The effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism on Insulin resistance has not been widely reported up till now. In the present study we have evaluated the effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (assessed by RFLP and nitric oxide levels) on insulin resistance (calculated by HOMA-IR) in patients of Coronary Artery Disease.16-18

In our study we found that the mean systolic blood pressure was higher in the cases 131.93±0.91 mm of Hg as compared to the controls 126.16±1.03 mm of Hg, with statistically very significant difference (p=0.000). Our findings are similar to the study done by Garg and colleagues.19-21 The probable reason for high BP in these patients is insulin resistance and the resultant hyper insulinemia which increases BP by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) resulting in sodium retention and volume expansion.22 Activation of RAAS produces angiotensin II which acts through angiotensin I receptors, thus inhibits the vasodilatory effects of insulin on blood vessels and increasing BP. Hyperinsulinemia in insulin resistant state also stimulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which promotes vascular injury.

NO can be seen in majority of the tissues and cells of the body and it has an important role in modulating vascular tone and hemodynamic status. It also promotes endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis, thus it has an essential role in modulating microcirculation. Moreover, it also inhibits the release of, a vasoconstrictor, endothelin-1. It also plays a role in cardiovascular system including regulation of blood pressure, thrombocyte aggregation inhibition, leukocyte adhesion, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and oxidation of LDL.in this study, the mean plasma nitric oxide level in the study group cases was 17.80±0.95 µM/L and in the control group was 22.47±0.83 µM/L. The difference between the two was statistically significant (p=0.000). The decrease in production in patients are associated with events that accelerate development of atherosclerosis such as vasoconstriction, thrombocyte aggregation, migration of monocytes to the vascular wall, oxidized LDL and foam cell production.

Our study is in accordance with studies by Flammeretal23 and Luscher et al,24 who have postulated that Low levels of NO in patients is suggestive that patients are more likely to have accelerated development of atherosclerosis. In our study we found that the markers of insulin resistance were significantly raised in cases as compared to controls. The mean HOMA-IR levels in the study group was 2.46±0.15 and in the control group was 1.63±0.09. The difference between the two groups was very significant (p=0.000). The mean serum insulin levels in the study group were 10.41 ± 0.61 µIU/mL and in the control group were 7.10 ± 0.38 µIU/mL and the difference between the two groups was statistically very significant (p=0.000).

Bertoluci et al25 suggested that increased HOMA-IR is positively associated with angiographic Coronary Artery Disease and may be useful for risk stratification as a high specificity test for Coronary Artery Disease. The probable reason for increased cardiovascular risk in patients with insulin resistance is that insulin resistance in adipocytes leads to reduced uptake of circulating lipids and increased hydrolysis of stored triglycerides. Increased mobilization of stored lipids from these cells would elevate free fatty acids in blood thereby causing dyslipidaemia, which would predispose the patient to increased cardiovascular risk. Other studies have also proposed that insulin resistance accentuates the risk of CAD. Our findings suggest that TT genotype may have a protective role in development of insulin resistance and coronary artery disease as seen by increased frequency of TT genotypes than TC genotypes in case as compared to control groups. These findings are similar to findings of previous studies.25 However, these findings need to be confirmed in a larger sample size.

CONCLUSION

Reduced plasma level of nitric oxide is associated with increased risk of CAD. Also, higher HOMA-IR levels are found in patients with CAD. Moreover, endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (T786C) gene polymorphism, is a significant risk factor for development of CAD.

 

 

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