Variation of genes encoding nitric oxide synthases and antioxidant enzymes as potential risks of multiple sclerosis development: a preliminary study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a variable clinical course and diverse pathophysiology, including nitrative and oxidative stresses as well as inflammation. We aimed to detect the potential association between five selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding nitric oxide synthetases as well as antioxidant enzymes and the development of MS in a Polish population. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood collected from 142 MS patients and 140 controls. Using Taq-Man(®) probes, we genotyped the following SNPs: rs1879417 in NOS1, and rs2297518 in NOS2 as well as rs4880 in SOD2, rs7943316 in CAT, rs713041 in GPX4. In the case of rs2297518, the C/C genotype and C allele SNP were associated with an enhanced occurrence of MS, while the C/T, T/T genotypes, and T allele of the same polymorphism reduced this risk. Moreover, the C/C homozygote and C allele of the rs4880 SNP reduced MS risk, while the T allele increased the risk. In addition, the A/T heterozygote of rs7943316 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of MS occurrence. We also detected that the C/C genotype and C allele of rs713041 decreased the risk of MS, whereas the T/T genotype and T allele increased this risk. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest some links between polymorphic variability in the nitrative/oxidative stress-related genes and the risk of MS development in the Polish population.