Lack of role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene Glu298Asp polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis among Asian Indians

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of Glu298Asp polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Asian Indians. Methods: We conducted a case control study in which 100 patients diagnosed with RA and 100 healthy controls were enrolled. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and eNOS polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP. Plasma samples from the subjects were screened for nitric oxide (NO). Results: There was a trend of increase of GG genotypic and G allelic frequencies of the eNOS gene Glu298Asp in patients when compared with controls. GT genotype emerged as major genotype in both controls and patients. Genotypes disobeyed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Reduced NO levels was detected in patients as compared to controls. Patients with GG genotype and GT genotypes were found to have significantly low level of plasma NO as compared to controls with GG and GT genotypes. Conclusions: eNOS gene Glu298Asp polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis in Asian Indians.