This study targeted two candidate genes from the best known regulator of blood pressure; the rennin angiotensin system; the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism. The study aimed to determine the genotypes trend between two different populations; the primary hypertensive patients, and the normal populations. 126 subjects were involved in this study (86 primary hypertensive patients and 40 normal individuals). All demographic factors were considered and analyzed. Insertion/deletion polymorphisms of the ACE gene were determined by an assay based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polymorphism analysis using PCR-RFLP procedure was used to identify the missense mutation M235T of the AGT gene. All significant data was collected using standardized case report form. The association of the different genotypes and the subjects’ condition was analyzed using the chi squared and odds ratio analyses. In the pooled analysis of both groups, it was shown that the polymorphisms in these genes were significantly associated with the incidence of primary hypertension, p<0.05. Results also showed that the D allele of the ACE gene may be associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p<0.05, O.R: 3.0 [C.I: 1.25 – 5.35]). The angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism also showed a significant result; the T allele is associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p<0.05, O.R: 2.56[C.I: 1.55 – 5.28]). This knowledge of the candidate genes of rennin angiotensin system has rendered it possible to show that gene polymorphism in symphony leads to the individual risk of primary hypertension.
Keywords: ACE, M235T, rennin, hypertension
Study site: University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center and International Medical University Cardiology Clinic