The association of endothelin-1 gene polymorphism and its plasma levels with hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis.

INTRODUCTION

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent among all vasoconstrictors, and its association with cardiovascular diseases has been reported before. Our aim was to investigate the association of ET-1 plasma level and its gene polymorphisms ( and ) with hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis (CA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was carried out on 128 women and 132 men, who were divided into 4 groups: hypertensive without atherosclerosis (H+A-); hypertensive with atherosclerosis (H+A+); non-hypertensive with atherosclerosis (H-A+); and non-hypertensive without atherosclerosis (control group). Endothelin-1 plasma levels were measured by ELISA, and gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Coronary artery diseases (CAD) were then defined based on angiography data.

RESULTS

The ET-1 plasma level was significantly higher in the H+A+ group in comparison with the other groups, especially H+A-. Comparing people with CA and those without it, the highest frequency level of the T allele of was found in people with CA. Significantly higher frequencies of the 3A allele were detected in hypertensive patients in comparison with non-hypertensive individuals, when analyzing .

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelin-1 plasma level shows a direct association with the risk of CA development. The T allele of can be regarded as a risk factor for CA development. The 3A allele of can be associated with the risk of hypertension; therefore, it can be concluded that ET-1 and its gene polymorphisms play an important role in CA development and hypertension observed in the south-eastern populations of Iran.