Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Glu298Asp) and urotensin II (UTS2 S89N) gene polymorphisms in preeclampsia: prediction and correlation with severity in Egyptian females

Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early prediction of preeclampsia can minimize maternal and fetal complications. Gene polymorphisms are promising markers for early prediction of preeclampsia. Aim of work: To assess the value of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Glu298Asp) and urotensin II (UTS2 S89N) gene polymorphisms for early prediction of preeclampsia. Methods: The preeclamptic group consisted of 53 pregnant who developed preeclampsia (35 mild and 18 severe), while the control group consisted of 65 age-matched pregnant females who completed uncomplicated pregnancies. eNOS and urotensin II gene polymorphisms were tested using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: Concerning the eNOS gene polymorphism, there were highly significant differences between the two groups regarding the GG genotype as well as the G and T allele frequency (p < 0.001) and a statistically significant differences regarding the GT, TT genotypes (p = 0.002, 0.0276, respectively). Concerning the urotensin II gene polymorphisms, there were highly significant differences regarding the SS, SN genotypes as well as the S and N allele frequency (p < 0.001), statistically significant differences regarding the NN genotype (p = 0.063). Conclusion: Women having mutation in any of the two studied genes are at risk to develop mild preeclampsia, and those having mutations in both genes are at risk to develop severe preeclampsia, while the females with normal pregnancy are protected by the higher percentage of expression of the normal (wild allelles) of both genes.