title: Angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, AGT T174M and Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme (ACE) I/D Gene Polymorphisms in Essential Hypertension: Effects on Ramipril Efficacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension, one of the most important risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease, is a major worldwide public health problem. Angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms are thought to be associated with primary hypertension. In the present study, we examined the frequency of these gene polymorphisms in an adult population with and without essential hypertension. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of ACE and AGT gene polymorphisms on ramipril treatment efficacy in the hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 166 adults (83 hypertensives and 83 normotensives) were involved in the study and genotyped for AGTM235T (rs699), AGTT174M (rs4762) and ACEI/D (rs1799752) gene polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The genotype and allele distribution of the AGTM235T variant significantly differed between hypertensives and normotensives [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57% (T vs M allele), 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.01 - 2.44; p=0.045 for hypertensives]. However, none of the 3 studied Simple Nucleotide Polymorphisms were associated with the blood pressure-lowering response to ramipril.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that AGTM235T gene polymorphism is associated with essential hypertension. However, none of the AGTM235T, AGTT174M and ACEI/D gene polymorphisms influenced ramipril effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece; Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lagou
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, General Hospital of Kimi, Evia Island, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Thriassio Hospital, Magoula, Greece.
authors.forename: Giannakopoulou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasiliki
authors.affiliation: Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippocration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic and Urologic Departments, Veterans Administration Hospital (NIMTS), Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kollia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Larissa University Hospital, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Filippos
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Triposkiadis
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mavrogeni
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Genovefa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kolovou
keywords: ACEI/D gene polymorphisms; AGTM235T; AGTT174; efficacy; hypertension; ramipril.