[Association between angiotensin system gene polymorphism and essential hypertension]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether angiotensinogen(AGT) M235T, angiotensin II type I receptor(AT(1)R) gene A1166C and angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene I/D polymorphism are implicated in human essential hypertension(HT) in Chinese.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and PCR combined with restriction enzyme digestion were used to detect AGT gene M235T, AT(1)R gene A1166C variations and ACE gene I/D polymorphism in 161 hypertensive patients and 134 normotensive controls.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found in frequencies of the ACE D allele, AGT gene 235T and AT(1)R A1166C between hypertensive patients and normotensive controls, but in hypertensive patients aged <60 years the frequencies of the ACE D allele and AGT gene 235T were significantly higher than those of the normotensive controls (P<0.05). The analysis of combined genotypes of AGT gene and ACE gene showed that the combined genotypes of DD-TT and ID-TT were significantly higher in hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. Significant relationships between the ACE genotype and serum ACE activity were found in both groups(P<0.05).

Conclusion: The ACE D allele and AGT 235T polymorphism may be involved in the early occurrence of HT. The combined genotypes of DD-TT and ID-TT may be a dangerous genetic factor for HT in Chinese.