Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and the risk ofischemic stroke in young Chinese population

Genetic influences are important in multifactorial ischemic stroke and may act via endothelial dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key mediator of endothelial function. We determined the role of 3 potentially functional eNOS polymorphisms (T-786C, intron 4ab, G894T) located toward the 5 flanking end of the gene as risk factors for ischemic stroke in young Chinese population. 100 patients with ischemic stroke and 100 controls were studied. Genotypes were determined through polymerase chain reaction with or without restriction fragment digestion. The intron 4a variant was protective against ischemic stroke in young Chinese population.