Nitric oxide functions as a signaling molecule with a well-established role in vascular homeostasis. It is synthesized from the oxidation of L-arginine by the enzyme, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The eNOS gene has a number of polymorphic sites, including SNPs, dinucleotide repeats and variable number tandem repeat sequences, and the opportunity exists to investigate polymorphic functional correlates as well as disease-specific associations, especially in cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, and its most severe consequence, myocardial infarction. A number of clinical and functional correlative studies involving eNOS polymorphisms have been reported and are presented. The promise and complexity of pharmacogenetics is illustrated using eNOS as an example because of its relationship with cardiovascular biology and pathology. In this review, we will discuss the impact of nitric oxide, eNOS, genetic regulation, clinical investigation and, ultimately, prospects for treatment of heart disease.
Background
Alterations of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme activity via eNOS gene polymorphisms have been associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Both the thymidine to cytosine transition mutation (T−786→C) in the promoter region and the missense mutation in the exon 7 coding region of the eNOS gene (G894→T) have been associated with several cardiovascular disease states. We hypothesized that heart transplant recipients who carried at least one allele of either of the polymorphisms would have reduced myocardial tissue expression of eNOS measured in the explanted heart.
Methods/Results
Genomic DNA was isolated from myocardial tissue samples obtained from 43 explanted human hearts using standard methods. Regions of the eNOS gene were amplified from genomic DNA with a polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Protein expression of eNOS was measured by Western blot analysis. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean eNOS expression in samples containing at least one allele for the T−786→C promoter polymorphism (p = 0.04) compared to patients homozygous for the T allele. There was no change in eNOS expression associated with the G894→T exonic polymorphisms. Conclusions: Our data show in failing human myocardium that the T−786→C promoter polymorphism is associated with reduced eNOS expression whereas the G894→T polymorphism of exon 7 is not associated with change in either eNOS mRNA or protein expression. Reduced eNOS expression associated with the promoter polymorphism may contribute to the vascular, contractile, and autonomic responses to ventricular failure.
Fluoroless ablation is feasible and safe with acceptable procedure times. Adoption of this technique is encouraged in order to eliminate unnecessary risk of fluoroscopy.
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