内皮细胞型NO合酶基因第7外显子894G→T点突变与糖尿病肾病相关性研究

目的 探讨内皮细胞型NO合酶（eNOS)基因第7外显子894G→T点突变与中国北方汉族人2型糖尿病（T2DM）合并肾病（DN）之间的关系。方法 运用聚合酶链式反应限制性片段长度多态性技术（PCR－RFLP），结合DNA测序技术，检测了228例中国北方汉族人的eNOS基因第7外显子894G→T错义突变位点的基因型，其中T2DM患者143例（DN79例），健康成人85例，并对各组间的等位基因频率与基因型频率进行了比较。结果 ①T2DM组的T等位基因及TG基因型频率与正常对照（N）组无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。②DN＋组T等位基因及TG基因型频率显著高于糖尿病非肾病患者（P＜0．05）。③SBP、HbA1c、TC、TG和eNOS基因第7外显子894G→T点突变均与糖尿病肾病有关（P＜0．05）。结论 eNOS基因第7外显子894G→T点突变的T等位基因可能是中国人2型糖尿病易患肾病的独立危险因素。     

血管内皮生长因子基因多态性与糖尿病视网膜病变相关性

目的 探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)+450基因的多态性与糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)的关系.方法 运用PCR-RFLP技术检查2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者249例,单纯T2DM患者120例,DR患者129例,及体检的98例对照者的基因型,比较各组的基因型和等位基因的频率.结果 DR组CC基因型及C等位基因频率显著高于T2DM组和健康对照组(P＜0.01,P＜0.05);CC基因糖尿病(DM)患者VEGF产量高.结论 VEGF+450C/G基因多态性可能与DR的发生发展有关,C等位基因可能是DR的易感基因.     

内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因多态性在血管性认知障碍发病中的作用

目的探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因多态性在血管性认知障碍(VCI)发病中的作用。方法选取146例VCI患者(VCI组),160例健康体检者(对照组)进行病例对照研究。应用PCR-RFLP技术测定eNOS基因894G/T位点及4b/4a位点单核苷酸多态性的分布,并进一步经高血压分层,分析各基因型与VCI之间的关系。结果两组间eNOS基因894G/T位点各基因型和等位基因频率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),经过高血压分层后,在高血压(+)的亚组中,这种差异同样存在统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组间eNOS基因4b/4a位点各基因型和等位基因频率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 eNOS基因894G/T位点多态性与VCI和高血压存在相关性,T等位基因可能是其易感基因。eNOS基因894G/T位点多态性可能是通过影响高血压而间接影响认知功能。     

血管紧张素转换酶2基因多态性与2型糖尿病肾病的关系

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2,ACE2)基因单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphisms,SNP)与2型糖尿病(T2DM)及糖尿病肾病(diabetic nephropathy,DN)的易感性之间的关系。方法采用横断面病例对照研究,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性检测225例T2DM患者及194例健康对照者的ACE2基因的G8790A多态性,并推测ACE2基因SNP与糖尿病(DM)及DN发病的关系。结果基因型分析显示T2DM组和健康对照组之间G与A基因的分布差异无统计学意义;与T2DM非DN组及健康对照组相比,DN组男性患者A基因频率(59.6%)明显升高,G基因频率(40.4%)明显降低(P<0.05),女性患者A基因频率亦升高,G基因频率降低,但差异没有显著性(P>0.05)。结论ACE2基因多态性与T2DM的易感性可能无关,与DN发生有一定关系,尤其在男性患者更显著。     

2型糖尿病合并脑梗塞患者的MTHFR基因、eNOS基因多态性位点的联合研究

目的探讨N5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）基因C677T位点、内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）基因G894T位点与2型糖尿病合并脑梗塞的关系。方法采用Sequenom系统检测内蒙古地区汉族健康对照组65人、2型糖尿病患者34例、2型糖尿病合并脑梗塞患者42例的MTHFR、eNOS基因型。结果（1）eNOS基因G894T位点2型糖尿病合并脑梗组TT基因型频率、T等位基因频率与对照组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01,P〈0．01）;2型糖尿病合并脑梗组T等位基因频率与糖尿病组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,（2）MTHFR基因C677T位点的TT基因型与eNOS基因G894T位点的TT基因型在2型糖尿病人群患脑梗塞方面具有协同作用（P〈0．05）。结论MTHFR基因C677T位点和eNOS基因G894T位点变异增加糖尿病患者发生脑梗的危险性,可能是糖尿病患者发生脑梗塞的遗传易感基因。     

抵抗素+299G/A基因多态性与2型糖尿病并大血管病变的相关性研究

目的 研究抵抗素基因+299G/A多态性与中国北方地区汉族中老年人群2型糖尿病(T2DM)并大血管病变的关系.方法 应用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)检测汉族人群296例抵抗素基因内含子2区299G/A的突变.结果 与对照组相比,糖尿病组等位基因频率、基因型分布差异显著(P=0.012,P=0.025).糖尿病组A等位基因突变率明显低于对照组,并大血管病变发生率在三种基因型间差异不显著(P=0.149).A,B两组等位基因频率、基因型分布的比较均无显著性.B组G/A基因型亚组的FPG显著高于A/A基因型亚组(P=0.05);利用Logistic回归分析显示收缩压、舒张压、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、家族史是糖尿病大血管病变的独立危险因素.结论 抵抗素基因+299G/A多态性与T2DM有关,A等位基因可能是T2DM的微效保护因素;AA基因型者在糖尿病并大血管病变组中有较低的FPG.     

新疆汉族冠心病患者内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T多态性

目的 探讨新疆汉族人群内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因多态性与冠心病的相关性.方法 应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)-限制性片段长度多态性分析(PCR-RFLP),检测新疆汉族82例正常个体和42例冠心病患者eNOS基因G894T多态性.结果 新疆汉族正常个体及冠心病患者的eNOS基因G894T多态性GG、GT、TT基因型频率分布分别为0.84、0.12、0.04和0.76、0.14、0.10,G和T等位基因分布频率分别为0.90、0.10和0.83、0.17,冠心病患者有GT基因型频率下降,TT基因型频率升高趋势,但差异不显著(x2=1.532 8,P＞0.05).结论 eNOS基因G894T多态性,可能与新疆汉族冠心病有关.     

抵抗素基因299G/A多态性与2 型糖尿病的相关性研究

2001年Steppan等研究罗格列酮药理作用时发现并提出抵抗素可能是连接肥胖和糖尿病(DM)之间的桥梁。迄今已发现30多个抵抗素基因多态性位点，Osawa等认为其中的内含子2区299G／A多态性可能与2型糖尿病(T2DM)某种表型相关。本研究拟探讨抵抗素基因299G／A多态性与中国汉族人T2DM的相关性。     

内皮细胞固有型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T(Glu298Asp)变异与2型糖尿病微血管并发症的相关性

目的观察内皮细胞固有型一氧化氮合酶（ecNOS）基因外显子7的Glu298Asp多态性与2型糖尿病（T2DM）微血管并发症的关系。方法利用PCR-RFLP技术检测299例T2DM患者和100例正常对照（NC）者,比较各组间的等位基因频率与基因型频率。结果（1）糖尿病肾病（DN）组的GT基因型和T等位基因频率明显高于非DN组和NC组（P均〈0.05）;（2）DM患者GT基因型较GG基因型的DN患病率显著升高（P〈0.05）。（3）该基因多态性是DN的独立危险因素。（4）糖尿病足（DF）组、非DF组和NC组间基因型分布无显著差异;糖尿病视网膜病变（DR）组、非DR组和NC组间基因型分布无显著差异（P〉0.05）。结论ecNOS基因外显子7的基因G894T（Glu298Asp）的变异可能是T2DM患者DN的相关基因;DF、DR的病理过程可能有别于DN。     

2型糖尿病患者eNOS基因第4内含子的多态性与糖尿病视网膜病相关性

采用PCR技术探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因第4内含子多态性与2型糖尿病视网膜病变的相关性。发现2型糖尿病非增殖型视网膜病变eNOS4b/b基因型频率及eNOS4b等位基因频率显著增高(OR2. 7)。eNOS基因第4内含子的多态性可能影响糖尿病视网膜病的发生。     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase G894T (Glu298Asp) polymorphism was predictive of glycemic status in a 5-year prospective study of Chinese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its related complications. However, both environmental and genetic factors may influence the progression or regression of hyperglycemia. Polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene have been associated with DM in cross-sectional studies, but their predictive values in glycemic progression are not known. We examined the relationship of the eNOS promoter -T786C (-T786C), intron 4 variable tandem repeat (in4a/b), and exon 7 G894T (G894T) polymorphisms, and their haplotypes, with the long-term glycemic outcome in a Chinese cohort with IGT. Two hundred fifty-six Chinese subjects with IGT at baseline participated in a 5-year follow-up study to assess their glycemic outcome. Each individual was genotyped for the above-mentioned polymorphisms. At 5 years, 40.2% of the subjects had reverted to normal glucose tolerance; 39.9% remained in IGT/impaired fasting glucose and 19.9% had developed DM. A significant gene effect of exon 7 G894T polymorphism on glycemic status at 5 years was demonstrated, with carriers of T(894) being more likely to have persistent hyperglycemia compared with GG subjects (P = .003). On stepwise logistic regression analysis, the presence of the T allele remained a significant risk factor for persistent hyperglycemia (odds ratio, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-5.99; T+ vs GG; P = .013), together with male sex, high body mass index, and high 2-hour glucose at baseline. No significant effect of -T786C or in4a/b polymorphism on fifth-year glycemic status was observed. The eNOS G894T polymorphism appears to be predictive of persistent hyperglycemia in Chinese subjects with IGT.     

Association of the genetic variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with angiographically defined coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in South Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

IntroductionThe polymorphic variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene have been implicated in endothelial dysfunction and are highly relevant to macroangiopathies. We investigated the relationship between eNOS gene T-786C, G894T, intron 4a/b polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) in South Indian type 2 diabetic (T2DM) individuals.MethodsWe screened 283 T2DM patients, inclusive of 160 with angiographically defined CAD, 73 with myocardial infarction (MI), 89 without MI and 121 T2DM individuals with no evidence of CAD for eNOS gene polymorphisms.ResultsThere appeared to be a significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of eNOS T-786C polymorphism between T2DM groups with and without CAD (p = 0.004), albeit no significant association with MI was observed. The frequencies of TC and CC genotypes and ? 786C allele were considerably higher in patients with triple vessel disease (TVD) as compared to those without CAD (p = 0.003), thereby associating this polymorphism with severity of CAD. Genotype and allele distributions of G894T and intron 4a/b polymorphisms were not significantly different between T2DM subjects with and without CAD/MI. Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between intron 4a/b and T-786C polymorphisms. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant and independent association of eNOS T-786C polymorphism and other putative risk factors with CAD/TVD in T2DM individuals.ConclusionsThese findings reveal a significant association between eNOS T-786C polymorphism, CAD/TVD and coincident putative risk factors in T2DM individuals in South Indian population.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetic retinopathy among Asian Indians

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been shown to play an essential role in retinal vascular function, and disequilibrium in its production can lead to diabetic retinopathy (DR). Genetic polymorphisms of eNOS gene have been suggested to play a role in nitric oxide (NO) abnormalities which may contribute to the development and progression of DR. In view of the variable results that have been reported for the association between eNOS gene polymorphisms and DR, the present study was designed to study the association and interaction between eNOS gene polymorphisms and the development and progression of DR in Asian Indian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM). We screened 1,720 T2DM patients, belonging to two independently ascertained cohorts out of which 1,446 were genotyped for three polymorphisms of eNOS (two SNPs: T-786C, G894T and one 27-bp repeat polymorphism in intron 4 (27VNTR)) using validated PCR?CRFLP assays. In both the cohorts, consistently lower prevalence and decreased risk of DR was observed in patients with ba, aa and ba?+?aa genotype of 27VNTR (a/b), C-a-G and C-a-T haplotype (allele of T-786C, 27VNTR a/b and G894T) carrying ??C?? allele of T-786C and ??a?? allele of 27VNTR (a/b). Also, mean NO levels in T2DM subjects carrying ba?+?aa genotype were higher as compared to bb genotype. Our results suggest that eNOS genotypes 27VNTR carrying ??aa?? genotype is an independent protective factor for DR and is associated with low risk of DR.     

Influence of eNOS gene polymorphisms (894G/T; - 786C/T) on postoperative hemodynamics after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: Differences in vascular reactivity have been associated with variable NO release due to 894G/T and -786C/T polymorphisms of the eNOS gene. Carriers of the 894T and -786C alleles are known to have enhanced vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictor stimulation due to decreased NO generation. Thus, we hypothesized that eNOS gene polymorphism could influence perioperative hemodynamics and catecholamine support in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. METHODS: In 105 patients undergoing elective CABG with CPB, systemic hemodynamics, cardiac index (CI), systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices (SVRI, PVRI) and catecholamine support were measured at baseline and 1 h, 4 h, 10 h and 24 h after CPB. Genotyping for the 894G/T and -786C/T eNOS gene polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Patients were divided according to their genotype (894G/T: GG=group 1, GT and TT=group 2; -786C/T: TT=group 3, CT and CC=group 4). RESULTS: Genotype distribution for 894G/T polymorphism was 41% (GG), 52.4% (GT), 6.6% (TT) and for -786C/T polymorphism 37.1% (TT), 41.9% (CT) and 21% (CC). Pre- and intraoperative characteristics and systemic hemodynamics did not differ between groups. CI, SVRI and PVRI remained unaffected by genotype distribution. Statistical analysis of postoperative data revealed no difference between groups, especially for pharmacologic inotropic or vasopressor support. Also, coexistence of the 894T and -786C alleles had no impact on perioperative variables compared to homozygous 894G and -786T allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to current suggestions, the 894G/T and -786C/T genetic polymorphisms of the eNOS gene do not influence early perioperative hemodynamics after cardiac surgery with CPB.     

内皮型一氧化氮合酶和N5，N10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与苏皖地区汉族人群早发冠心病易感性的相关关系

目的 探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)基因第7外显子G894T突变和N5,N10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T突变与苏皖地区汉族人群早发冠心病(PCAD)发病的关系.方法 采用病例对照研究的方法,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片长多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,分别检测131例PCAD患者(PCAD组)和131例年龄、性别相匹配的无冠心病者(对照组)的eNOS和MTHFR基因的单核苷酸多态性,判定其基因型并统计各基因型及等位基因的频率.结果 eNOS基因G894T多态性在PCAD组和对照组中的基因型分布(x2=2.072,P=0.355)和T等位基因频率(x2=0.727,P=0.394)差异均无统计学意义.MTHFR基因C677T基因型在PCAD组CT和TT型分布均高于对照组(x2 =14.290,P=0.001),T等位基因频率亦高于对照组(x2=16.339,P =0.000),差异有显著性(P＜0.05).Logistic回归分析显示,携带MTHFR基因C677TTT基因型是PCAD发病的独立危险因素.结论 eNOS基因G894T多态性可能与苏皖地区汉族人群PCAD发病无关;MTHFR基因677C/T多态性的TT基因型可能增加苏皖地区汉族人群PCAD的患病风险,T等位基因可能是PCAD的遗传易感基因.     

Association analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with primary hypertension in a Singapore population

Vascular endothelial cells produce nitric oxide (NO), which contributes to the regulation of blood pressure and regional blood flow. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery disease, but their linkage with primary hypertension is controversial. A total of 103 individuals with primary hypertension and 104 normotensive control subjects were studied in Singapore. The specific genotypes for G894T missense variant in exon 7, variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4 (eNOS 4A/B/C) and T-786C in the promoter were isolated using allele-specific gene amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism to examine the association of genotype and allelic frequency in both groups. Logistic regression analysis was also used to detect the association between genotypes and hypertension. Five genotypes of intron 4 VNTR (AA, AB, BB, AC and BC) were observed. Intron 4 B/B genotype was significantly associated with the hypertension group (P = 0.035), but disequilibrium of G894T and T-786C was absent between the two groups (P = 0.419 and P = 0.227), respectively. The overall distribution of allelic frequency differed significantly between the two groups, with four-repeat allele (4A) of intron 4 more frequent in the normotensive group than the hypertensive group (P = 0.019). Logistic regression analysis showed that intron 4 B/B genotype was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure of individuals with body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 (P = 0.04). In conclusion, the eNOS 4 B/B genotype is a genetic susceptibility factor for primary hypertension in a Singapore population.     

Both T-786C and G894T polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase affect in-vitro endothelium-dependent relaxation of internal mammary artery rings from patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene in the promoter (T-786C) and exon 7 (G894T) have been suggested to attenuate endothelial function. As it is unknown whether these polymorphisms, on top of classical risk factors, further deteriorate endothelium-dependent vasomotion, we aimed to elucidate the impact of both polymorphisms on the ex-vivo vasomotor function of left internal mammary artery rings from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary bypass surgery (CABG). METHODS: Mammary artery rings from 51 consecutive patients with CAD were obtained during elective CABG. Endothelium-dependent ring relaxation was measured in vitro in an organ chamber using acetylcholine (10 to 3 x 10 mol/l). Polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction length polymorphism. RESULTS: Thirty-three per cent of patients were positive for the T-786C polymorphism, 25% for the G894T polymorphism, and 18% carried mutated alleles in both loci. Maximal acetylcholine-induced ring relaxation was 46.7+/-3.2% in T-786C, 59.6+/-4.2% in G894T, and 66.7+/-7.4% in T-786C/G894T compared with 94.9+/-2.0% in wild-type subjects (P<0.05 versus T-786C, G894T, T-786C/G894T). Patients positive for an eNOS polymorphism with more than three cardiovascular risk factors displayed a further attenuation of acetylcholine-mediated relaxation (45+/-6 %) compared with having up to three risk factors (59+/-3%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with CAD, in-vitro assessed endothelium-dependent relaxation of mammary arteries was significantly impaired in those positive for the T-786C or the G894T eNOS polymorphism. These results suggest that the presence of either one of the eNOS polymorphisms deteriorated endothelium-dependent vasodilatory capacity of large conduit vessels on top of classical risk factors in patients with CAD.     

Interaction of G-protein beta3 subunit and nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms on carotid artery intima-media thickness in young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study

BACKGROUND: G-protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) gene C825T and endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) gene G894T polymorphisms both influence arterial structure and function. However, information is scant regarding the interaction of these genes on arterial wall thickness. METHODS: This aspect was examined in 654 white and black subjects, aged 25-43 years (72.9% white, 39.3% male). Arterial wall thickness was assessed in terms of the average intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid, internal carotid, and carotid bulb segments by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Frequencies of T allele of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism (0.718 vs. 0.304, P < 0.0001) and G allele of the eNOS G894T polymorphism (0.868 vs. 0.661, P < 0.0001) were higher in blacks compared to whites. In a multivariate model including gender, age, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio, insulin resistance index, smoking, and/or race, there was no significant genotypic effect on carotid IMT with respect to GNB3 C825T or eNOS G894T polymorphisms among whites, blacks, and total sample. However, the carriers of TT genotype of the GNB3 C825T and T allele of the eNOS G894T had a significantly lower carotid IMT among blacks (P = 0.003) and the total sample (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the genetic variations of the eNOS gene in combination with the GNB3 gene jointly influence carotid artery wall thickening process in young adults, especially in blacks.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene haplotype association with systemic lupus erythematosus

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) catalyses the production of nitric oxide, which has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). eNOS gene polymorphism may have an effect on eNOS gene expression, eNOS protein synthesis and enzymatic activity. We investigated the influence of eNOS gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to SLE. eNOS T-786C, G894T and intron 4 27-base pair tandem repeat (VNTR4) polymorphisms were investigated in 152 SLE patients and 184 controls using RFLP-PCR, direct sequencing and fragment analysis. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequency comparisons, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were performed. No significant association was detected between SLE and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) T-786C and G894T. VNTR4 allele 4b was associated with susceptibility to SLE (OR 1.89, p?=?0.023), as was the genotype 4bb (OR 2.41, p?=?0.007). However, allele 4a was protective (OR 0.53, p?=?0.023), as was genotype 4ab (OR 0.41, p?=?0.007). T-786C and VNTR4 were in high LD (r (2?)=?0.34). Haplotypes T4bC and C4aG of the three tested polymorphisms had a susceptibility effect on SLE (OR 1.89 and 4.23 at p?=?0.005 and 0.001, respectively), while haplotypes T4aG and C4bG had a protective effect (OR 0.06 and 0.11 at p?=?0.000001 and 0.0005, respectively). The novel finding in our study is that individual eNOS polymorphisms probably do not exert a major influence on susceptibility to SLE, but they have significant effects when combined within a specific haplotype.     

Lack of evidence for association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in the Australian Caucasian population

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphism in the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been identified as a potential risk factor for the development of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). We determined whether the eNOS 4ab, G894T, and T-786C polymorphisms are associated with premature coronary artery disease. DESIGN: A case-control study. METHODS: PCR-based assays were used to compare the frequency of eNOS gene polymorphisms in 573 Caucasian subjects aged under 50 years presenting with symptomatic CAD and documented by coronary angiography, with or without myocardial infarction, to that of 624 similarly aged community controls without a history of symptomatic CAD. RESULTS: We found no difference in the frequency of 4ab genotypes between cases and controls: in the CAD subjects, the 4aa, 4ab, and 4bb genotype frequencies were 1.9%, 24.3% and 73.8% respectively, compared to 2.2%, 25.5% and 72.3% respectively for the controls. There was also no significant difference between cases and controls in the frequency of any allele (4a/4b, 894G/894T, -786C/-786T), or genotype for any of the polymorphisms. Similarly, logistic regression analysis showed no evidence for an association of the polymorphisms with premature CAD or myocardial infarction or any indication of an interaction between the polymorphisms and other CAD risk factors, including smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In a large case-control study, and in contrast to some earlier positive findings by others, we have found no evidence for an association between several eNOS gene polymorphisms and premature CAD in an Australian Caucasian population.