Genetic polymorphism of the renin-angiotensin system on the development of primary vesicoureteral reflux.
BACKGROUND
The familial clustering of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has suggested a genetic basis. This study was designed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in Korean children.


METHODS
Genetic polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptor genes was evaluated in 67 primary VUR patients and compared to 58 controls with no urological abnormalities. To detect the relation of the risk factors of primary VUR with the genetic polymorphism, the distribution of ACE, AT1 and AT2 genotypes after stratification by risk factors was also studied in the primary VUR patients.


RESULTS
The incidence of AT2 A-1332G transition was significantly lower in primary VUR patients (p = 0.047). Furthermore, in the case of combination of ACE and AT2 gene, a significantly lower incidence of primary VUR was seen with II genotype of ACE and A-1332G transition in the AT2 receptor gene (p = 0.003). Concerning the risk factors of primary VUR, there were no biologically significant results.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that a lower incidence of AT2 A-1332G transition is seen in primary VUR patients, at least in the Korean population. Also, in the case of combination of ACE and AT2 gene, the combination of ACE II genotype and AT2 A-1332G transition occurs infrequently in primary VUR.
Yim
Hyung Eun
HE
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Min Ji
MJ
Choi
Byung Min
BM
Bae
In Sun
IS
Yoo
Kee Hwan
KH
Hong
Young Sook
YS
Lee
Joo Won
JW
Kim
Soon Kyum
SK
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics*; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000235:genetics*