Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression is associated with hypertension in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
OBJECTIVE
Early occurrence of hypertension is the prominent feature of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism in the clinical course of ADPKD is not well understood. However, data about the expression of these genes are lacking. Thus, we aimed to investigate the polymorphisms and expressions of both the ACE and eNOS genes that affect hypertension in ADPKD.


METHODS
Whole blood samples were obtained from all participants. ACE and eNOS gene polymorphisms and their expressions were analyzed in 78 ADPKD patients and 30 controls. Gene expressions were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure monitoring was performed for the diagnosis of hypertension in all study participants.


RESULTS
eNOS expression and the estimated glomerular filtration rate were found to be significantly higher in ADPKD patients without hypertension than in those with hypertension. Each unit of increase in eNOS expression led to a 0.88-fold decrease (95% CI: 0.80-0.96) in the risk of hypertension in multiple logistic regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
eNOS gene expression is independently predictive of hypertension in the ADPKD population. This study showed, for the first time, a novel link between eNOS gene expression and hypertension in ADPKD.
Department of Nephrology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Ismail
I
Kocyigit
Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Serpil
S
Taheri
Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Elif Funda
EF
Sener
Department of Nephrology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Aydin
A
Unal
Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Eray
E
Eroglu
Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Fahir
F
Öztürk
Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Kezban
K
Korkmaz
Department of Biostatistics, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Gokmen
G
Zararsiz
Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Hakan
H
Imamoglu
Department of Nephrology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Murat Hayri
MH
Sipahioglu
Department of Nephrology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Bulent
B
Tokgoz
Department of Nephrology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Oktay
O
Oymak
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; Hypertension; Polycystic kidney disease