Association of ACE genotype and predominantly diastolic hypertension: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
The insertion/deletion (I/D) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism has been established as a cardiovascular risk factor in some populations, but the association with essential hypertension is controversial. Predominantly diastolic hypertension (PDH), or narrow pulse pressure hypertension, has been shown to have increased peripheral resistance. Because a DD genotype has been associated with higher plasma ACE levels and angiotensin II activity, we genotyped PDH patients for ACE I/D polymorphism.


METHODS
Ninety-three patients with systolic blood pressure (BP)<140 mmHg systolic and diastolic BP>90 mmHg, or BP>140/90 mmHg with a pulse pressure<45 mmHg, were defined as PDH. The II, ID and DD genotype variants of ACE were characterised by the triple primer nested-PCR method. Results were compared to 75 normotensive control individuals. Statistical significance was assessed by the Chi square test.


RESULTS
The genotype distribution among PDH patients was II=20 (21.5%), ID=34 (36.5%), DD=39 (42%), while the distribution among normotensive controls was II=16 (21.4%), ID=42 (56%), DD=17 (22.6%). The difference in genotype distribution between PDH patients and controls was significant (p<0.02). ACE allele frequencies in PDH patients and controls were D=0.60, I=0.40 and D=0.51, I=0.49, respectively, statistically non-significant (ns).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest an association between ACE genotype DD and predominantly diastolic hypertension.
Jiménez
Pablo Martin
PM
Institute for Medical Research Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
Conde
Cecilia
C
Casanegra
Ana
A
Romero
Cesar
C
Tabares
Aldo Hugo
AH
Orías
Marcelo
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A