Cyclooxygenase-2 −765G>C polymorphism is associated with C-reactive protein levels in resistant smokers but not in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract: We sought to investigate whether the serum concentrations of several inflammatory biomarkers are related to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) −765G>C polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a control group of non-COPD smokers. Serum inflammatory markers (CRP, SAA, CXCL8, and sICAM-1) were measured by ELISA in 144 patients with COPD and in 55 control subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the COX2 −765G>C (rs20417) polymorphism was genotyped. After adjustment for age and active smoking, CRP and SAA concentrations were associated with the COX2 polymorphism in controls (p =0.041 and 0.014, respectively) but not in COPD patients. The CXCL8 and sICAM-1 concentrations were not associated with the COX2 polymorphism for either cases or controls. The results of the present study indicate that there is a relationship between the COX2 −765G>C polymorphism and the concentrations of CRP and SAA in non-COPD smokers and that this relationship does not exist in COPD patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]