Associations between eNOS polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsA meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the 4b/a, G894T, and C786T polymorphisms of eNOS and SLE and lupus nephritis (LN) (when available) using (1) the allele contrast, (2) the recessive, (3) the dominant, and (4) the additive models.ResultsA total of eight studies, which included 1,297 cases and 1,214 controls, were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed no association between SLE and the 4b/a polymorphism in any study subjects. Stratification by presence of LN indicated a significant association between the a allele and the aa + ab genotype of the 4b/a polymorphism and LN in SLE patients [odds ratio (OR) = 2.125, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.289–3.054, p = 0.003; OR = 2.655, 95% CI = 1.509–4.671, p = 0.001]. No association was found between SLE and the G894T polymorphism using the allelic, recessive, or dominant, or additive models. Meta-analysis of the T786C polymorphism showed a tendency to an association between the TT genotype and SLE (OR = 1.220, 95% CI = 1.000–1.489, p = 0.050), and meta-analysis of the TT versus CC genotype of the C786T polymorphism in group in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium revealed a significant association between the TT genotype and SLE (OR = 1.643, 95% CI = 1.021–2.644, p = 0.041).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis of published studies shows that the 4b/a polymorphism may be associated with the development of LN, and the C786T polymorphism may be associated with SLE susceptibility.