eNOS gene polymorphısms and transıtıonal cell cancer of the bladder

Abstract

Aim: In this case-control study, we examined the association between two types of eNOS gene polymorphisms (intron 4 a/b andGlu298Asp) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.Nitric Oxide (NO) is a free radical that plays a key role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes, particularly inthe circulatory system. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), as a member of NOS family, is the enzyme, responsible for thephysiological production of nitric oxide in the endothelium. Polymorphisms of eNOS have been related to increased risk for differenttypes of cancers.Material and Methods: A total of 64 patients with bladder TCC and 80 controls with similar epidemiological characteristics of patientsgroup were evaluated and compared in terms of eNOS gene polymorphisms of two different types ((intron 4 a/b and Glu298Asp).Following DNA isolation from the blood samples, eNOS gene was replicated via PCR. The genomic distribution of two types of eNOSpolymorphism was determined by gel electrophoresis following the process of restriction, for both groups.Results: The alleles most commonly observed in patient group were “ab” for intron 4 (OR= 1.80, 95% CI: 0.71-4.64; P=0.20) and “GT”for Glu298Asp polymorphisms (OR= 1.65, 95% CI: 0.85-3.22; P=0.14). Neither bladder cancer risk nor disease grade was associatedwith these polymorphisms.Conclusions: This study suggests that the intron 4 a/b and Glu298Asp eNOS gene polymorphisms are not associated with bladdercancer susceptibility. However, it is mandatory to conduct further trials with more patients to confim these fidings and to evaluatethe association between bladder cancer and eNOS gene polymorphisms.