INFLUENCE OF GENE POLYMORPHISMS OF THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM ON THE RISK OF HYPERTENSION IN WOMEN

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in Ukraine. Renin-angiotensin system dysfunction leads to the development of cardiovascular disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of polymorphisms of genes AGT (T174M, M235T), ACE (I/D), AT2R1 (A1166C) on the risk of hypertension in women.

Materials and methods. 131 women with diagnosed hypertension were enrolled in the study. The control group was composed of 102 women without any cardiovascular disease. Polymorphic variants of genes AGT (T174M, M235T), ACE (I/D), AT2R1 (A1166C) were studied with the use of PCR and PCR-RFLP methods.

Results. It has been revealed that the presence of 1166АС genotype of AT2R1 gene elevates nearly 2-fold the risk of hypertension development. The results of analysis for common group and subgroups distributed by age are different. Women from 18 to 35 years old were not found significant differences. For women from 36 to 54 years old an increased risk of hypertension development is determined by the presence of D allele of АСЕ gene. In women older than 54 years the most increased risk of hypertension development was found in the presence of combination of hypertension ID ACE/235MT AGT/166AC AT2R1.

Conclusions. The results suggest that polymorphic variants of renin-angiotensin system genes and their associations may be considered as possible prognostic markers of hypertension development. The results of analysis are different in total cohort and in subgroups distributed by age.