Functional correlates of alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism in the HANE study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to test an association between alleles of the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor gene with hereditary hypertension and with alterations of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was isolated from 147 hypertensive patients and digested with DraI. Genotypes at the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotype at each locus was related to blood pressure, family history of hypertension and various clinical chemistry parameters.


RESULTS
The alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor polymorphism was not significantly associated with blood pressure or a family history of hypertension. Patients with the d allele of the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor had significantly lower HbA(1) (5.6 vs 6.2%, P=0.0344) and HbA(1c) (3.4 vs 3.9%, P=0.0237) and total cholesterol (212 vs 229 mg/dl, P=0.0333) than those without. Similar trends, which failed to reach statistical significance, were seen for glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that alleles at the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor locus might contribute to interindividual differences in the regulation of human lipid and glucose metabolism.
Michel
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, University of Essen, Essen, Germany.
Plogmann
C
C
Philipp
T
T
Brodde
O E
OE
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha