Analysis of the influence of glutathione S-transferase ( and ) genes on the risk of essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND

Essential hypertension (EH) results from a complex interaction between environmental factors and an individual's genetic background.

AIM

To assess the relationship between polymorphisms in and and the risk of EH.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A multiplex-PCR was used to identify the genotypic profiles of and in 160 patients and 210 controls.

RESULTS

The frequency of -null genotype was higher in patients younger than 61 years when compared to those over 61 years. Interestingly, -null was significantly associated with the risk of EH (OR 4; 95% CI 2.6-6.3;  < 0.0001). While -null showed no trend (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-1.1,  = 0.12). Individuals carrying the combined -null/-null were 2.4 times more at risk for hypertension compared to those harbouring the combined -present/-present genotype (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.4;  = 0.005). Additionally, the presence of the combined -null/-present was associated with an increased risk of EH compared to -present/-present carriers (OR 6.75; 95% CI 3.4-13.2;  < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the -null alone or in interaction with -present or -null was associated with a higher risk of hypertension. Moreover, the -null seems to be associated with the age of onset of hypertension.