Determination of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphism and Plasma Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine Concentrations in Patients with Lung Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Genetic factors can contribute to both the occurrence and development of lung cancer. Thisstudy aimed to investigate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) G894T and T-786C polymorphismsand plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels of lung cancer patients in comparison with healthysubjects.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 subjects, 100 patients with lung cancer and 100 healthy volunteerswere included in this study. To determine eNOS gene polymorphisms, we collected and analyzed bloodsamples with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Plasma ADMA levels were evaluated by high-performanceliquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The difference in gene polymorphisms between lung cancer patients and healthy controls wereinsignificant. However, lung cancer patients had statistically significantly higher plasma ADMA levels thanhealthy controls. The patients and control groups with CC polymorphisms and TT polymorphisms on eNOST-786C and G894T gene regions had higher plasma ADMA levels. The CC polymorphisms and plasmaADMA levels were higher in patients with small-cell lung cancer compared to those in patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer.Conclusion: Although eNOS gene polymorphisms had no significant difference between lung cancer patientsand healthy controls, plasma ADMA levels were higher in lung cancer patients compared to healthycontrols. Our study suggests that CC genotypes and elevated plasma ADMA levels might be associated withsmall-cell lung cancer.