Background: Several studies suggested the role of the genes of the rennin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of essential arterial hypertension.
Patients: We investigated 100 consecutive hypertensive patients (42 males and 58 females; mean +/- SD age, 55.14 +/- 9.49 years) for M235T and T174M polymorphisms. Seventy six normotensive patients (28 males and 48 females; mean +/- SD age, 54.94 +/- 9.56 years) formed the control group.
Methods: M235T and T174M polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP methods.
Results: The carrier frequency of M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene was 73% in hypertensive patients and 34.21% in normotensive patients (OR 5.2, 95%CI [2.72-9.93], p<0.01, chi2 test). The carrier frequency of T174M polymorphism in the AGT gene was 42% in hypertensive patients and 11.84% in normotensive patients (OR 5.39, 95%CI [2.41-12.01], p<0.01, chi2 test).
Conclusions: Essential arterial hypertension is associated with polymorphisms in the AGT gene, M235T and T174M.