NOX4 rs11018628 polymorphism associates with a decreased risk and better short-term recovery of ischemic stroke

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play an important role in our susceptibility to disease, the severity of illness and the way our body responds to treatment. This study evaluated the impact of three polymorphisms on the susceptibility and functional outcome of ischemic stroke (IS). Three hundred and eight patients and 300 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Polymorphisms of NOX4 rs11018628, MTHFR rs1801133 and NEIL3 rs12645561 were detected in both groups. Smoking (P<0.001), drinking (P<0.001), hypertension (P<0.001) and diabetes (P=0.006), as traditional vascular risk factors for IS, were confirmed in our study. Logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age, sex, smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension and total cholesterol showed that the variant genotypes of NOX4 rs11018628 were associated with a significantly decreased risk (Dominant model: OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.22–0.48, P<0.001) and a better short-term recovery of IS (Dominant model: OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.35–0.95, P=0.029). This study demonstrates that the NOX4 rs11018628 SNP is associated with decreased risk in developing IS and better short-term recovery of patients. This suggests that the genetic variant of NOX4 rs11018628 may contribute to the etiology of IS.