The association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase G894T polymorphism with C-reactive protein level and metabolic syndrome in a Chinese study group.

Some studies have reported a possible relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and metabolic syndrome (MS), which is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. A recent meta-analysis study found the eNOS G894T polymorphism to be associated with ischemic heart disease. Here, we examine the association of eNOS G894T polymorphism with MS in a Chinese population (n = 397). The eNOS T+ (TT and GT) genotypes (56.92% vs 38.86%; odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.56; P = .007) and T allele (33.08% vs 23.34%; odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.44; P = .019) were significantly more frequent in subjects who had MS. Furthermore, subjects with eNOS T+ genotypes had significantly higher plasma C-reactive protein levels as compared with GG subjects (P = .004). This study shows that, in a Chinese population, eNOS G894T polymorphism is associated with an elevated C-reactive protein level and MS.