Apolipoprotein(a) gene polymorphism in the Korean population: is there any relevance to essential hypertension?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of the apolipoprotein(a) [Apo(a)] gene in predicting essential hypertension in the Korean population, we undertook a case-control study using the TTTTA repeat and the Met/Thr polymorphisms of the Apo(a) gene.


METHODS
The study subjects consisted of 74 essential hypertensives and 211 normotensive individuals. For polymorphism analysis, DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the case of the Met/Thr polymorphism, amplified PCR products were digested with the restriction enzyme Kspl. Genotyping was performed by a 10% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of these polymorphisms between normotensive and essential hypertensive subjects (p > 0.05). Furthermore, levels of lipoprotein(a) in the plasma were not significantly associated with the different genotypes of the APO(a) gene in either group (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The polymorphisms of these two loci on the Apo(a) gene are unlikely to contribute to the etiology of essential hypertension in the Korean population.
Seoulin Bioscience Institute, Seoulin Bioscience Co. Ltd., Dongduk Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
Byung Yong
BY
Kang
Joon Seol
JS
Bae
Ki Tae
KT
Kim
Jae Hyoun
JH
Kim
Jung Hee
JH
Shin
Chung Choo
CC
Lee
D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D001054:Apolipoproteins A