Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Genetic Polymorphism and Risk of Asbestosis

Asbestos, a known occupational pollutant, may upregulate the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and thus the production of nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated whether iNOS (CCTTT)(n) polymorphism is associated with an increased asbestosis risk in exposed workers. The study cohort consisted of 262 cases with asbestosis and 265 controls with no asbestos-related disease. For each subject the cumulative asbestos exposure data were available. The number of CCTTT repeats was determined following PCR amplification of the iNOS promoter region. Logistic regression was performed to estimate asbestosis risk. The OR of asbestosis was 1.20 (95%  CI = 0.85-1.69) for the LL genotype compared to the combined SL and SS genotypes and 1.26 (95% CI = 0.86-1.85) for the LL genotype compared to the SL genotype. The results of this study are borderline significant and suggest a possible role of iNOS (CCTTT)(n) polymorphism in the risk of asbestosis; however, further studies are needed.