Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Rs2071746 Polymorphism in Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Background Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an important cytoprotective enzyme due to its ability to degrade pro-inflammatory heme. The common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2071746 on the HMOX1 gene has been associated with HO-1 activity and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. This study was performed to investigate the association between the rs2071746 SNP and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods We included 496 RVO patients and 297 control subjects in this case-control study. Genotypes of the rs2071746 polymorphism were determined by TaqMan assays. Results There was no association between the rs2071746 genotype and the presence of RVO (p = .443). The lack of association was found in all three logistic regression models, namely the dominant (p = .560), the recessive (p = .373) and the co-dominant model (p = .444). The distribution of the rs2071746 genotype was 30% (AA), 51% (AT), and 19% (TT). Baseline characteristics were similar between these genotypes, except for diabetes mellitus, which was less prevalent in the AA genotype (p < .001). Conclusion The rs2071746 polymorphism does not seem to be a major risk factor for the presence of RVO.