Association of the 3050G>C Polymorphism in the Cyclooxygenase 2 Gene with Systemic Sarcoidosis (original) (raw)

2008, Archives of Medical Research

Background. We investigated the potential association between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis. Methods. This observational cross-sectional study involved seven hospitals in Spain. We diagnosed patients with sarcoidosis according to the International Criteria. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, initial diagnostic methods, serum angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) levels, pulmonary function tests, radiological stage, and clinical findings at diagnosis. Manifestations of sarcoidosis were classified as systemic vs. nonsystemic. Genotyping of four COX-2 polymorphisms (COX2.5909TOG, COX2.8473TOC, COX2.926GOC, and COX2.3050GOC) was undertaken on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes using fluorescent hybridization probes and melting curves. Results. A total of 131 sarcoid patients (63 males, mean age: 47 AE 15 years) were studied. One hundred twenty-six of these patients had one or more positive biopsies. The results demonstrated that genotype distribution for the COX2.3050GOC polymorphism was significantly different between patients with systemic sarcoidosis and those with nonsystemic forms ( p 5 0.046). After adjustment for age, gender, and serum ACE levels, a significant association between the carriage of at least one C allele of the COX2.3050GOC polymorphism and systemic sarcoidosis was observed (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03e5.12, p 5 0.031). Other polymorphisms were not associated with either clinical manifestations of the disease or serum ACE levels.