Acknowledgement Grant ID_2246/2009.

Background: Arterial stiffness represents a strong predictor of the cardiovascular events and mortality, but seems to be influenced by eNOS mutations (responsible for alteration of NO release).

Purpose: to investigate the relationship between T786C mutation and arterial rigidity. Material and method 70 patients were investigated (63.4% females), mean age 59.81±11.01 years, without significant differences between genders. Genetic polymorphism of T786C (using PCR method), and arterial rigidity (using a TensioMed™Arteriograph) were determined.

Results: The distribution according to the presence of genotypes was: 49.3% were negative (TT), 33.8% heterozygous (CT) and 16.9% homozygous (CC). Globally, there was significant difference of the PWVAo values between homozygous and heterozygous or negative patients: 11.65±1.87m/sec in CC patients vs 9.86 ±1.56m/sec in CT patients vs 9.75±1.75m/sec in TT patients (p=0.005). Even though statistical significance was not reached for the rest of the parameters, an ascending trend can still be noticed, CC (in comparison with CT, respectively TT) patients showing higher levels of AixAo (42.71±15.24% vs 37.97±17.24% vs 34.46±18.11%, p=NS), Aixb (15.68±31.33% vs 1.3± 26.85% vs −2.07±31.96%, p=NS). In the same time, the relationship was also present in women (for PWVAo, CC genotype women presented greater values 12.18±2.51 vs 9.84 ±1.75 in CT vs 9.71± 1.9 m/sec in TT genotype p=0.04, with ascending trend for the rest of the parameters p=NS), but only ascending trends (without statistical significance) were registered in men.

Conclusion: In the present study, the presence of the CC homozygote status was associated with the increase of arterial rigidity.