ASSOCIATION OF EDN1 rs10478694 POLYMORPHISM AND SERUM LEVELS OF ET-1 WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN THE DUHOK POPULATION

This study investigated the association of the Endothelin-1 (EDN1) rs10478694 polymorphism and serum ET-1 levels with coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension in the Duhok Province population. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden, and understanding their genetic predispositions is critical for targeted interventions. The endothelin system, particularly ET-1, is integral in vascular tone regulation and frequently implicated in various cardiovascular conditions. We conducted a case-control study involving 202 individuals, categorized into control, CAD, hypertension, and combined CAD/hypertension groups. Genotyping for EDN1 rs10478694 was performed via PCR-RFLP, and serum ET-1 levels were quantified by ELISA. Our findings revealed statistically significant associations: the 'rr' genotype and 'r' allele exhibited higher prevalence in all patient groups compared to controls (CAD: genotype p=0.021, allele p=0.022; Hypertension: genotype p=0.022, allele p=0.015; CAD with Hypertension: genotype p=0.021, allele p=0.012). This outcome suggests an elevated genetic susceptibility associated with the 'r' allele. Furthermore, a weak positive correlation between the 'r' allele/rr genotype and serum ET-1 levels substantiated a plausible biological mechanism affecting ET-1 expression and subsequent CVD risk. These results significantly enhance our understanding of CVD genetic architecture in this distinct population, thereby facilitating improved risk stratification and personalized prevention strategies.