Deletion polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme is associated with essential hypertension in men born during the Pacific War.
Age is a strong risk factor for hypertension in relation to vascular aging. Additional etiological factors include: lifestyle, genetic factors, and their interactions. The aim of this study is to examine whether an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with essential hypertension in Korean born during the Pacific War. A total of 13,914 healthy subjects (8261 men, 5653 women) aged 20-79 years were examined. Subjects with abnormal renal, thyroid dysfunction, or electrolyte levels were excluded. Logistic regression analysis showed increased risk (OR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.31) in men, but not in women (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.89-1.26). However, after adjustment for age, obesity, cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus, increased risk in men was not significant (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.98-1.42). Analyzed according to birth-year, DD genotype showed increased risk for hypertension in only a subgroup of men (adjusted OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.16-2.09; p = 0.001), born during the Pacific War (1941-1945 year). Findings suggest that the ACE DD genotype plays a role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, in conjunction with adverse environmental conditions in early life, with sex-related difference.
Yoo
Jun-Hyun
JH
Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Center for Clinical Research, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-710, South Korea. drjohn.yoo@samsung.com
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004573:Electrolytes; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D004573:Electrolytes; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A