Endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu 298 Asp (G894T) and Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism as possible risk factors for coronary heart disease among Egyptians

In Egypt, The prevalence of chronic heart disease (CHD) is 8.3%. It is the principal cause of death and is responsible for 22% of total mortality. The age-adjusted mortality rate is 174 per 100,000 of population. There are many studies on traditional risk factors and CHD in Egypt but the study of novel risk factors is deficient. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present case control study was to investigate the relation between CHD susceptibility and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) Glu 298 Asp (G894T) and Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism in a cohort of Egyptian individuals. METHODS: Genotyping of eNOS (Glu298Asp) and Apo E genes polymorphisms were done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method for 100 CHD cases and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was observed between GT and TT genotypes of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with CHD with OR = 2.03 and 3.5; respectively. Also, carriers of E4 allele and especially E3/E4 genotype were at higher risk of CHD with OR = 3.3 for both. Significant association was also observed between the presence of combined GTE3E4 genotype and CHD with OR = 6.6. CONCLUSION: GT and TT genotypes of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene, E3/E4 genotype of Apo E gene polymorphism and combined GTE3E4 genotype can be considered risk factors for the development of CHD among Egyptians.