Abstract:
Background & Aims: Alterations of vascular endothelium play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, the occurrence of liver cirrhosis and the progression of its complications. Little is known about the impact of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene mutations on the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible association of the T894G gene polymorphism of eNOS with biochemical, cytokine blood indices, structural and functional parameters of heart in patients with nonviral liver cirrhosis. Methods: Investigation of eNOS gene polymorphism (T894G) was performed in 50 patients with nonviral liver cirrhosis and in 10 healthy volunteers. Furthermore, biochemical blood analysis, estimations of tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin-4, atrial natriuretic propeptide (proANP) plasma levels, echocardiographic studies were performed. Results: It was established that the presence of T-allele of eNOS gene in patients with liver cirrhosis was associated with increased activity of aspartate aminotransferase, higher plasma content of proANP, larger left atrium diameter and increased left ventricular myocardium mass. In males with liver cirrhosis, T-allele was also associated with increased left ventricular myocardium mass index compared with patients with GG-genotype. Conclusion: The presence of T-allele of eNOS gene in patients with nonviral liver cirrhosis is associated with occurrence of more severe cardiovascular alterations.
