Polymorphisms within Angiotensin II Receptor Type 1 Gene Associated with Essential Hypertension in Chinese Hani and Yi Minorities

Introduction: Angiotensin II receptor type 1 mediates the major cardiovascular effects of angiotensin II to regulate blood pressure. The aim of the present study is to assess the association between angiotensin II receptor type 1 polymorphisms and essential hypertension risk in the Chinese Hani and Yi minorities.

Methods: This study recruited 692 unrelated Chinese Hani subjects (case vs. control = 346:346) and 615 unrelated Chinese Yi subjects (case vs. control = 303:312). Twelve selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Angiotensin II receptor type 1 gene were genotyped by using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Result: Statistical analysis indicated that the C allele and GC+CC genotype of rs387967 were significantly associated with the decreased risk of essential hypertension and the decreased levels of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure among the Yi population. The C allele of rs2638360 showed a consistent risk trend for essential hypertension in both two independent populations. Meta-analysis also revealed that the C allele could significantly increase the risk of essential hypertension.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that rs387967 is associated with the susceptibility to essential hypertension in a Yi population and the tendency was replicated in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure detection. Meta-analysis revealed that C allele of rs2638360 could significantly increase the risk of essential hypertension. The two single nucleotide polymorphisms maybe play a role in the pathology of essential hypertension.