Relationship between iris constitution analysis and TNF-alpha gene polymorphism in hypertensives.
Iridology is a complementary and alternative medicine that involves the diagnosis of medical conditions by noting irregularities of the pigmentation in the iris. Iris constitution has a strong hereditary component. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), a pleiotropic cytokine, has been implicated in many pathological processes including hypertension. In this paper, the relationship between iris constitution and TNFalpha gene polymorphism in those with hypertension is investigated. Eighty seven hypertensive individuals and 79 controls were classified according to iris constitution and the TNFalpha genotype of each individual determined. Compared to the controls, the frequency of the TNFalpha GA heterozygote was lower in the hypertensive group, although the statistical significance was marginal (p = 0.08). This result implies an association with resistance to the disease. In addition, the frequency of the cardio-renal connective tissue weakness type was significantly higher in the hypertensive group with the TNFalpha GG genotype, as compared to the controls (p = 0.001). An association is demonstrated among TNFalpha gene polymorphism, Koreans with hypertension, and iris constitution.
Yoo
Chun-Sang
CS
Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 570-749, Republic of Korea.
Hwang
Woo-Jun
WJ
Hong
Seung-Heon
SH
Lee
Hye-Jung
HJ
Jeong
Hyun-Ja
HJ
Kim
Su-Jin
SJ
Kim
Hyung-Min
HM
Um
Jae-Young
JY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D007498:Iris / Q000473:pathology*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha