ABSTRACT
This study investigated risk factors for atherosclerosis and their relationship with lesion sites. Patients (n = 160) with peripheral artery disease (PAD) completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors for PAD. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and interleukin (IL)-6 gene polymorphisms and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels were measured. Patients with coronary artery disease had significantly higher ratios of eNOS T/C and C/C genotypes, which include the C allele, than the T/T genotype. The IL-6 gene polymorphism distribution ratios for patients with over four risk factors were significantly different compared with other patients, with a higher rate of the C/C genotype. ADMA levels did not show any significant relationship to risk factors or polymorphism. Levels were, however, slightly higher in femoral lesion sites. The results support a model in which the C/C genotype of eNOS and IL-6 gene polymorphisms promote PAD development. The eNOS C/C genotype may have an independent effect, whereas the effects of the IL-6 C/C genotype are seen in conjunction with other risk factors.
