The -665 C>T polymorphism in the eNOS gene predicts cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in white Europeans

J Hum Hypertens. 2015 Mar;29(3):167-72. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2014.66. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

We recently identified rs3918226 as a hypertension susceptibility locus (-665 C>T), TT homozygosity being associated with higher hypertension risk. T compared with C allele transfected cells had lower endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. In the family-based Flemish Study on Environment, Genes and Health Outcomes (50.9% women; mean age 40.3 years), we investigated whether 32 TT homozygotes had worse outcomes than 2787 C allele carriers. Over 15 years (median), total and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular and coronary events amounted to 269 (9.5%), 98 (3.5%), 247 (8.8%) and 120 (4.3%), respectively. While accounting for family clusters, the hazard ratios associated with TT homozygosity were 4.11 (P=0.0052) for cardiovascular mortality (4 deaths), 2.75 (P=0.0067) for cardiovascular events (7 endpoints) and 3.10 (P=0.022) for coronary events (4 endpoints). With adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, these hazard ratios were 6.01 (P=0.0003), 2.64 (P=0.0091) and 2.89 (P=0.010), respectively. Analyses unadjusted for blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment produced consistent results. For all fatal plus nonfatal cardiovascular events, the positive predictive value, attributable risk and population-attributable risk associated with TT homozygosity were 21.9, 61.5 and 2.0%, respectively. In conclusion, TT homozygosity at the position -665 in the eNOS promoter predicts adverse outcomes, independent of blood pressure and other risk factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • White People / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III