Clinical genetic studies have shown a strong association of eNOS polymorphisms with a number of metabolic and vascular abnormalities occurring in the metabolic syndrome and including insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol and hypertension (González‐Sánchez et al., 2007; Monti et al., 2003; Niu & Qi, 2011; Rittig et al., 2008; Vecoli et al., 2012), as well as with increased coronary artery disease risk (Hingorani et al., 1999). This evidence concerns the gene NOS3 and metabolic syndrome.