[Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D gene polymorphisms and fibrinolytic activity in patients with essential hypertension and dyslipidemia]

Abstract

Essential arterial hypertension often predisposes patients to prothrombotic state and increased risk of vascular and organ complications. Vital role in regulation of hemostatic processes is played by genetic factors, renin-angiotensin system and disorders of lipid metabolism. Prime genetic factors involved in the process are 4G/5G polymorphism of promoter region coding tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and I/D polymorphism for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene. The aim of work was the evaluation of alterations within fibrinolysis system (estimation of t-PA and PAI-1 levels), fibrinogen concentration (Fb) and ACE activity with regard to co-existent dyslipidemia and features of left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH). Moreover the analysis of influence of 4G/5G PAI and I/D ACE gene polymorphism on intensification of aforementioned alterations among hypertensive patients was performed. Research was carried out in 170 subjects under 40 years old, in two study groups, HT-- hypertensive group--125 patients with previously untreated hypertension without clinical features of ischaemic heart disease and NT--45 normotensive, healthy subjects. HT group has been further divided into four subgroups: DLP (dyslipidemic, n = 51), NLP (normolipidemic n = 74), LVH+ (with features of left ventricle hypertrophy, n = 35), LVH (-) (without features of left ventricle hypertrophy, n = 90). In a whole HT group significantly higher levels of PAI-1, t-PA and Fb were noted in comparison to NT group, considerably more pronounced within DLP rather than NLP subgroups. Moreover, pronounced increase in ACE activity was recorded in DLP and LVH+ subgroups. It has been proved that 4G/4G homozygous subjects of 4G/5G PAI-1 gene polymorphism from HT group tend to present higher levels of PAI-1 and t-PA if contrasted to 4G/4G genotype of NT group, with more distinct effect within DLP subgroup. Carriers of D allele (genotypes I/D, D/D) of I/D ACE gene polymorphism from HT group characterise with significantly higher activity of ACE in contrast to I/I genotype of HT group, with particularly marked effect in DLP and LVH+ subgroups. Basing on above mentioned results it may be concluded that essential hypertension (especially if complicated with dyslipidemia) impairs fibrinolysis, what might be related to renin-angiotensin system activation in lipid metabolism disorders. Deletion alleles of 4G/5G polymorphism (4G allele) and I/D polymorphism (D allele) in patients with hypertension independently modify fibrinolysis towards prothrombotic state with more distinct effect in dyslipidemia. Increased activity of ACE in D allele carriers may predispose to left ventricle hypertrophy.