M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene and insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-1 converting enzyme gene in essential arterial hypertension in Caucasians.

In order to investigate the contribution of candidate genes in the RAAS in pathogenesis of EAH, we analysed the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene, and the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene in a group of adult Caucasians (Slovene population) with EAH. Four-hundred and thirteen unrelated subjects with the diagnosis of EAH were included in the association study and they were compared to 414 subjects with normal blood pressure (the control group). The M235T angiotensinogen genotype distribution in patients with EAH (TT = 23.2%, MT = 48.7%, MM = 28.1%) did not differ from genotype distribution in controls (TT = 21.1%, MT = 49.0%, MM = 29.9%), and the TT genotype was not associated with EAH (OR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.7; P = 0.6). Moreover, The I/D ACE genotype distribution in patients with EAH (DD = 32.0%, ID = 48.2%, II = 19.8%) did not differ from genotype distribution in controls (DD = 32.2%, ID = 49.0%, II = 18.8%), and the DD genotype was not associated with EAH (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.7-1.3; P = 0.9). In conclusion, we failed to demonstrate that the M235T angiotensinogen polymorphism and the ACE I/D polymorphism were genetic markers for EAH in adult Caucasians.