Association between Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Glu504Lys Polymorphism in Chinese Han with Essential Hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that mutant ALDH2 could increase oxidative stress and is a susceptible factor for hypertension. In addition, wild-type ALDH2 could improve the endothelial functions, therefore reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to explore the frequency of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene and its relation to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in a group of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and to investigate the association between the Glu504Lys polymorphism and CIMT in Chinese Han patients with EH.


METHODS
In this study, 410 Chinese Han patients with EH who received physical examinations at the People's Hospital of Sichuan Province (China) were selected. DNA microarray chip was used for the genotyping of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene. The differences in CIMT among patients with different Glu504Lys ALDH2 genotypes were analyzed.


RESULTS
The mean CIMT of the patients carrying AA/AG and GG genotypes was 1.02 ± 0.31 mm and 0.78 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that the CIMT of the patients carrying the AA/AG genotype was significantly higher than in the ones carrying the GG genotype (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Glu504Lys AA/AG genotype of the ALDH2 gene was one of the major factors influencing the CIMT in patients with EH (odds ratio = 3.731, 95% confidence interval = 1.589-8.124, P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene is associated with the CIMT of Chinese Han patients with EH in Sichuan, China.
Center of Health Physical Examination and Health Management, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Xiao-Xiang
XX
Ma
Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
Shu-Zhan
SZ
Zheng
Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China.
Yan
Y
Shu
Department of Cardiovascular, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, Sichuan 400037, China.
Yong
Y
Wang
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Xiao-Ping
XP
Chen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002681:China; D000075222:Essential Hypertension; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial