Endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase, angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphisms and endothelial functions in healthy individuals

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as an early and initiating event in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Gene polymorphisms of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) have been found to be associated with atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of ecNOS, ACE and AT1R gene polymorphisms on endothelial functions in healthy population.