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

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. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.This study was financially supported by grants from the Fundación Neumosur (project number 03/2006) and the Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (project number P08-CVI-3891).Peer Reviewe