title: Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the angiotensinogen gene are associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates fibrosis. Polymorphisms in the genes of the RAS may contribute to the outcome of liver cirrhosis. Angiotensinogen (AGT), mainly produced in the liver, is the substrate of renin. The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in the promoter region of the AGT gene are associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  
  
  METHODS
  Restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR was used to study polymorphisms in the promoter region of the AGT gene in patients with liver cirrhosis and in a control population. Four polymorphisms were assayed: G-217A, G-152A, A-20C and A-6G.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant relationship was seen between polymorphisms of the AGT core promoter region and liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (A-20C, P = 0.007; A-6G, P = 0.042). However, the distributions of the AGT-217 and AGT-152 genotypes were not significantly different from the control population (P = 0.615 and P = 0.170, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymorphisms of the core promoter region of the AGT gene (AGT-20 and AGT-6) were associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: The Infectious Diseases Institute, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Hongshan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Shujing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Guoli
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D000808:Angiotensinogen