Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with pulse pressure and its interaction with obesity status in Heilongjiang province.

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene is one of the most-studied candidate genes related to essential hypertension (EH). Pulse pressure (PP) may reflect vascular stiffness, especially in patients with EH, and has been used to predict EH. Previous evidence has indicated that obesity is a traditional risk factor of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction between the obesity status and ACE gene polymorphisms on the development of high level of PP. A total of 1980 adults (1024 hypertensive and 956 normotensive) were included in this study and genotyped for ACE gene polymorphisms. The results showed that rs4343 and rs4351 in ACE gene were risk factors of high level of pulse pressure (p < 0.05). We also detected positive interactions between the two SNPs and obesity status in the pathway of high level PP.

Association of ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms with essential hypertension in the northernmost province of China.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, as a strong candidate gene for essential hypertension(EH), has been extensively studied. In this study, we carried out a population-based case-control study to explore whether ACE gene I/D and A2350G polymorphisms could consider to be risk factors for EH. A total of 2040 subjeces were recruited from Chinese Han in this study, out of which 1010 were cases and 1030 were normotensive individuals. ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and A2350G polymorphism was detected after restriction enzyme digestion with BstuI. Besides, we choosed 10% samples randomly sequencing to verify the accuracy of results. Genotype and allele frequencies distribution of I/D and A2350G in EH and control groups were significantly different. After grouped by sex or age, there were still statistical significances for two polymorphisms. In dominant and recessive model of A2350G, we found significant differences between two groups, respectively. For ACE I/D polymorphism, we observed that the existence of dramatical difference in dominant model between two groups, while in recessive model, marginally significant difference was found. Among the four haplotypes composed by ACE gene A2350G and I/D, haplotype G-D reached the statistical significance in two groups, and exhibited to be a risk factor for the development of EH, whose P < 0.001 and OR 95%CI = 1.639(1.435-1.872), while the other haplotypes were the protective factors and decreased the susceptibility to EH(P < 0.05). ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms were associated with increasing the risk of suffering from EH in the northernmost province of China individuals, with D allele and G allele individuals had a higher risk of EH(OR = 1.443, 95%CI = 1.273-1.636 and OR = 1.481, 95%CI = 1.303-1.684).

Replication of a genome-wide association study on essential hypertension in Mongolians.

Replication of genome-wide significant association SNPs in independent populations is an essential approach for identifying gene-disease relationships. Therefore, we sought to investigate the top 21 SNPs (rs10507454, rs11897156, rs11897991, rs12325203, rs12541835, rs13395322, rs1525035, rs16936892, rs17010027, rs17045859, rs17136827, rs1866525, rs2045590, rs4547758, rs4655688, rs7107438, rs761353, rs8127139, rs9312305, rs9407874 and rs9865108) from a genome-wide association study of essential hypertension in Mongolians. This was a community-based case-control study involving 428 hypertensives and 638 normotensives from Kerqinzuoyihou Banner,Tongliao, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China. Genotyping was conducted with Sequenom MassArray (®) SNP detection technology. Overall, there were no significant differences in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies between the cases and controls. There was a significant difference between the allele frequencies at locus rs17010027 in cases (high systolic blood pressure) and controls in female (p = .036). There were significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and the allele frequencies at locus rs10507454 between cases (high diastolic blood pressure) and controls (p = .019 and p = .022, respectively) especially in male (p = .009 and p = .011, respectively). rs17010027 is associated with high systolic blood pressure in female, and rs10507454 is associated with high diastolic blood pressure especially in male of this Mongolian population.

[Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and environment interaction on essential hypertension in the Han nationality].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme( ACE) gene I/D and A2350 G polymorphisms with environmental factors interaction on essential hypertension in the Han nationality. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted, and 1010 patients with hypertension and 1030 normal controls were recruited from Lanxi Country rural, Heilongjiang Province. ACE gene two polymorphism sites were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism( PCR-RFLP). Using multivariate Logistic regression to analysis the interaction between gene polymorphisms and environmental factors. RESULTS: The distributions of ACE two polymorphism sites genotypes in control group were in accordance with the HardyWeinberg equilibrium( HWE). Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that age, gender, family history of hypertension, BMI, TG and high-density lipoprotein enter the model and were the risk factors for essential hypertension( P < 0. 05), especially, family history of hypertension( χ~2= 53. 488, OR = 2. 140, 95% CI 1. 746-2. 625). The interaction analysis between two sites genotype and environmental factors, noted that there were statistically significant combination effect between genotypes of the two sites and the factors of age, gender, BMI, TG and high-density lipoprotein. There was multiplication interaction only between I/D and age( P = 0. 0356, OR = 1. 021, 95% CI 1. 001-1. 021). CONCLUSION: There are combination effect between ACE gene I/D and A2350 G polymorphisms with multiple environmental factors, which are likely to increase the risk of suffering from essential hypertension.

Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control association study was conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). RESULTS: In single-locus analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 -344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.

Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control association study was conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). RESULTS: In single-locus analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 -344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.

Relationship between MTHFR C677T, homocysteine, and ischemic stroke in a large sample of the Han Chinese population.

Ischemic stroke, one of the prevalent causes of death and disability worldwide, is linked to environmental and genetic factors, including polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene involved in homocysteine metabolism. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the MTHFR C677T variant, plasma homocysteine, and risk of developing large-artery atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (LAAIS) among Han Chinese. A population-based case-control study, which included 1810 patients with LAAIS and 1765 unrelated control subjects, was conducted. Compared to the controls, LAAIS patients had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and alcohol consumption (P < .001), as well as significantly higher mean fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and plasma homocysteine levels (P < .001). The TT homozygous genotype correlated with increased risk of developing LAAIS, as indicated by a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) compared to the CT and CC genotypes, in both additive (OR = 3.215, P = .01) and recessive models (OR = 3.265, P = .01). The plasma homocysteine level was genotype-dependent according to the following trend: TT > CT > CC. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that, in spite of its low prevalence in both patients and controls (1.5% vs 0.8%), the MTHFR C677T variant could, at least in part, affect homocysteine levels and this, either alone or in combination with other factors, increases the risk of LAAIS.

Association of single-nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 9 and ischemic stroke in Heilongjiang province in China.

There is a significant correlation between ischemic stroke (IS) and chromosome 9. However, its status was uncertain in China's cold regions. 1920 IS patients, and 1920 healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood samples were collected. The association of SNPs with IS was evaluated by Sequenom, and logistic regression models adjusted for known risk factors of IS were constructed to assess the SNPs' associations in cases and controls. We found rs1333040 and rs2383207 were associated with IS, compared with primitive genotypes. The genotype CT of rs7027526 has a protective role during IS development, while the effect of the genotype TT is still not clear. These results changed after stratification by age and sex. In conclusion, rs1333040 and rs2383207 SNPs in CDKN2BAS are associated with ischemic stroke in the Chinese Han population. This study confirms the association between 9p21.3 and IS.

Assessment of HCMV-encoded microRNAs in plasma as potential biomarkers in pregnant women with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infections and can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). HCMV encodes multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) that have been reported to be partially related to host immune responses, cell cycle regulation, viral replication, and viral latency, and can be detected in human plasma. However, the relevance for HCMV-encoded miRNAs in maternal plasma as an indicator for APOs has never been evaluated. METHODS: Expression profiles of 22 HCMV-encoded miRNAs were first measured in plasma samples from 20 pregnant women with APOs and 28 normal controls using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Next, markedly changed miRNAs were validated in another independent validation set consisting of 20 pregnant women with APOs and 27 control subjects. Markedly changed miRNAs were further assessed in the placenta tissues. HCMV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and anti-HCMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-HCMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in plasma were also examined in both training and validation sets. Diagnostic value and risk factors were compared between APO cohorts and normal controls. RESULTS: Analysis of the training and validation data sets revealed that plasma concentrations of hcmv-miR-UL148D, hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p and hcmv-miR-US5-1 were significantly increased in pregnant women with APOs compared with normal controls. Hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p presented the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (0.735; 95% CI, 0.635-0.836), with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 71%. Furthermore, plasma levels of hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p and hcmv-miR-US5-1 correlated positively with APOs (P=0.029 and 0.035, respectively). Hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p in the placenta tissues were dramatically increased in APOs, and correlated with plasma hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p. Nevertheless, neither the concentration of HCMV DNA in PBLs nor the positivity rates of anti-HCMV IgM and anti-HCMV IgG in plasma showed a statistically significant correlation with APOs. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a unique signature of HCMV-encoded miRNAs in pregnant women with APOs that may be useful as a potential noninvasive biomarker for predicting and monitoring APOs during HCMV infection.

CACNA1C rs1006737 SNP increases the risk of essential hypertension in both Chinese Han and ethnic Russian people of Northeast Asia.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels play a key role in the regulation of arterial tone and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to determine whether the association of calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) rs1006737 with essential hypertension (EH) exists in both Chinese Han and ethnic Russian populations of Northeast Asia. We used a case-control study of 2 ethnic groups in the same latitude geographical area to investigate the association between the susceptibility of EH and rs1006737 polymorphism. A total of 1512 EH patients and 1690 controls in Chinese Han people (Heilongjiang Provence, China), 250 EH patients, and 250 controls in ethnic Russian people (Chita, Russia), participated in this study. All participants were genotyped using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay (Agena Company). Baseline characteristics and the minor allele frequencies of rs1006737 vary substantially among common Chinese Han and ethnic Russian people. Allele A was found to be a risk factor for EH in Chinese Han [(odds ratio) OR 1.705, (confidence interval) 95% CI: 1.332-2.182, P < .001] and ethnic Russian (OR 1.437; 95% CI: 1.110-1.860, P = .006). The GA genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR 1.538, 95% CI: 1.188-1.991, P = .001) for Chinese Han people, and the AA genotype (OR 2.412, 95% CI: 1.348-4.318, P = .003) for ethnic Russian people. The results of this study indicate that the A allele of the variant rs1006737 in the CACNA1C gene may be a useful genetic marker for EH risk prediction in Chinese Han and ethnic Russian populations.

Associations of SUCNR1, GRK4, CAMK1D gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension in a northern Chinese Han population.

AIMS: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are both complex diseases that are caused by interactions among multiple genetic and physiological factors. To investigate the association of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SUCNR1, GRK4 and CAMK1D genes with the susceptibility of the two diseases in a northern Chinese Han population. METHODS: 36 SNPs were genotyped in 2304 clinical patients (1152 type 2 diabetes mellitus, 1152 essential hypertension) and 1152 health controls by Sequenom Mass-ARRAY RS1000. RESULTS: In this study, we found that BMI, blood press, pulse pressure, FBG, total cholesterol and triglycerides were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and essential hypertension (EH). Three SNPs (SUCNR1: rs73168929; GRK4: rs1557213; CAMK1D: rs17151584) significantly associated with the susceptibility of T2DM and EH at the same time. Also, the susceptibility genotypes of 3 SNPs were significantly correlated with liver and renal function parameters. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report that three SNPs (SUCNR1: rs73168929; GRK4: rs1557213; CAMK1D: rs17151584) contributed to the risk of T2DM and EH in a northern Chinese Han population. These results provide a favourable evidence for better understand of the underlying common mechanism of these two diseases.

A novel DSPP mutation causes dentinogenesis imperfecta type II in a large Mongolian family.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the clinical phenotypes of dentinogenesis imperfecta type II (DGI-II) may be caused by mutations in dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). However, no previous studies have documented the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of DGI-II in a Mongolian family from China. METHODS: We identified a large five-generation Mongolian family from China with DGI-II, comprising 64 living family members of whom 22 were affected. Linkage analysis of five polymorphic markers flanking DSPP gene was used to genotype the families and to construct the haplotypes of these families. All five DSPP exons including the intron-exon boundaries were PCR-amplified and sequenced in 48 members of this large family. RESULTS: All affected individuals showed discoloration and severe attrition of their teeth, with obliterated pulp chambers and without progressive high frequency hearing loss or skeletal abnormalities. No recombination was found at five polymorphic markers flanking DSPP in the family. Direct DNA sequencing identified a novel A-->G transition mutation adjacent to the donor splicing site within intron 3 in all affected individuals but not in the unaffected family members and 50 unrelated Mongolian individuals. CONCLUSION: This study identified a novel mutation (IVS3+3A-->G) in DSPP, which caused DGI-II in a large Mongolian family. This expands the spectrum of mutations leading to DGI-II.

Association of the renin gene polymorphism, three angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and the haplotypes with essential hypertension in the Mongolian population.

Renin is a rate-limiting enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system and plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the precursor of potent vasoactive hormone angiotensin II and the AGT gene has been incriminated as a marker for genetic predisposition to essential hypertension (EH) in some ethnic groups. The purpose of the study is to explore the association of a new genetic marker of renin gene, and AGT gene M235T, A-6G, and A-20C polymorphisms and their haplotypes with EH in the Mongolian population. On the basis of the prevalence survey, 243 hypertensives and 258 normotensives who had no blood relationship with each other were selected as subjects. All the subjects were interviewed with questionnaires and their blood specimens were collected. Renin gene insertion/ deletion (I/D) polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. AGT gene M235T, A-6G, and A-20C polymorphisms were genotyped by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and single-strand conformation polymorphism. The frequencies of renin genotype DD and allele D in hypertensives (36.21%, 63.79%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in normotensives (29.84%, 57.17%, respectively, P < 0.05). The odds ratios (OR) of renin genotype ID, DD to renin genotype II on hypertension were 1.98 (OR 95% CI 1.08-3.72) and 2.51 (OR 95% CI 1.33-4.88), respectively. There were no significant differences in the distributions of genotypes and alleles for AGT gene M235T, A-6G, and A-20C polymorphisms and all different haplotypes between the two groups. Renin gene I/D polymorphism is associated with EH, whereas AGT gene M235T, A-6G, and A-20C polymorphisms and the haplotypes are not associated with EH in the Mongolian population.

[Strong association between the NINJ2 gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of stroke in Chinese Han population in Fangshan district].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the NINJ2 gene rs11833579 polymorphism and stroke in Han Chinese population. METHODS: This study was a population-based cross-sectional case-control study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing were used for the detection of NINJ2 genotypes in 790 patients with stroke (679 ischemic stroke) which were Han Chinese population from Fangshan First Hospital and 811 controls which were healthy Han Chinese population without family history of stroke in Fangshan district rural area. RESULTS: In rs11833579 locus of the NINJ2 gene, the frequencies of GG genotype and allele G were higher in ischemic stroke patients than that in controls (P<0.001). The frequency of allele G of the NINJ2 gene was higher in cerebral hemorrhage patients than that in controls (P=0.005). Genotype had little effect on the glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride. CONCLUSION: There is significant association between rs11833579 site polymorphism of the NINJ2 gene and risk for stroke in Han Chinese population from Fangshan district.

[Association of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene -344T/C polymorphism with essential hypertension in Mongolian nationality].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene and essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population. METHODS: By cluster-sampling method, a total of 1575 Mongolian people in Tongliao city of Inner Mongolia were included in this study. And 417 subjects were normotension, 596 subjects were prehypertension and 562 subjects were essential hypertension. A survey was conducted to collect data by personal interview using a standard questionnaire, meanwhile fasting blood samples were drawn. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood-fat indexes and fasting plasma glucose were measured. The variant genotypes of CYP11B2 were identified by PCR assays. The relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of CYP11B2 gene and essential hypertension were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS: Crude prevalence of prehypertension among Mongolian people was 37.84% (596/1575) and hypertension was 35.68% (562/1575). The age-standardized prevalence of prehypertension was 38.57% and hypertension was 31.53%. The frequency of the T and C allele was 0.66 (481/728) and 0.34 (247/728) for normotension group, 0.69 (696/1042) and 0.33 (346/1042) for prehypertension group, 0.71 (706/998) and 0.29 (292/998) for hypertension group. The multiple logistic models showed CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with prehypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.33, 95%CI: 0.87 - 2.01; TC/CC, OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.67; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.22); CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with hypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.07 - 2.70; TC/CC, OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 0.98 - 2.50; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.06 - 2.58). CONCLUSION: CYP11B2 gene -344T/C polymorphism were associated with essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population.

[Association study between HLA-DRB genes and asthmatic children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of HLA-DRB alleles among the asthmatic children and find the alleles with a correlation with susceptibility or resistance to childhood asthma. METHODS: The sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) was used to analyze the HLA-DRB genotype in 117 asthmatic children and 120 healthy children in Beijing. Then the frequency of each type, odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of OR were calculated. RESULTS: The frequency of DR2 (15) in the asthmatic children was 12.0% (28/234) vs 5.4% (13/240) in the healthy children. The frequency was significantly higher than that of nonasthmatic children (OR = 2.590, 95% CI = 1.266-5.298, Chi(2) = 6.431, P < 0.05). Conversely, the frequencies of DR4, DR6 (1402), DR9 and DR53 in asthmatic children [9.4% (22/234), 0.9% (2/234),17.1% (40/234), 29.5% (69/234)] were significantly lower than that of the healthy children [16.3% (39/240), 5.0% (12/240), 31.3% (75/240), 44.2% (106/ 240)], P = 0.026, 0.008, 0.000, 0.001, OR = 0.481, 0.157, 0.312, 0.190. Multi-variate logistic regression demonstrated that the 95% CI of OR for each allele was 1.010-2.245, 0.757-1.116, 0.603-1.054, 0.855-1.014, 0.971-1.010, respectively. CONCLUSION: The allele HLA-DR2 (15) is correlated with the susceptibility to childhood asthma whereas it is not related with the severity of asthma.

Association of uncoupling protein gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in a northeastern Han Chinese population.

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to the family of mitochondrial transporter proteins and mediate regulated proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The UCPs play an important role in energy homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, and have been established as candidate genes for obesity, diabetes and hypertension. This study examined the possible association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of UCP1-3 genes and essential hypertension (EH) in a northeastern Han Chinese population. A total of 2207 Chinese Han subjects were enrolled, including 1045 normotensives and 1162 hypertensives. Genotyping of UCP1 rs1800592, UCP1 rs12502572, UCP2 rs659366, UCP2 rs660339, and UCP3 rs3781907 was detected using Sequenom MassArray System. SHEsis was used to analyze linkage disequilibrium and haplotype. No evident association was observed between the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of individual SNPs and EH. Haplotype analysis showed the haplotype GAATA (rs1800592-rs12502572-rs659366-rs660339-rs3781907) was significantly associated with lower EH risk (p = 0.001, χ2 = 10.861, OR = 0.634, 95% CI = 0.483-0.833), and AGATG was associated with increased EH risk (p = 0.012, χ2 = 6.287, OR = 1.265, 95% CI = 1.052-1.521). These findings suggest haplotypes of UCP1-3 genes are linked to EH risk in a northeastern Han Chinese population. Further investigation with larger sample size in multiethnic population is needed to confirm our results.

Association of ghrelin polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Han Nationality Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of ghrelin gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Han Nationality Chinese. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with metabolic syndrome and 427 adults aged above forty years were recruited. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: The allelic frequency of the Leu72Met polymorphism was 17.3% in the patient group and 11.9% in the control group (chi2 = 7.36, P = 0.007). Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent among carriers of the Met72 variant (43.8 vs 33.1%, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio = 1.57, P = 0.01). No Arg51Gln variants were found in our study subjects. CONCLUSION: Rather than being associated with its individual components, Leu72Met polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome in the Han Nationality Chinese. Arg51Gln polymorphism is rare in the Han Nationality Chinese.

Identification of a regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism in the adiponectin (APM1) gene associated with type 2 diabetes in Han nationality.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the genetic defects of the the adiponectin (APM1) gene that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and determine the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the APM1 gene associated with T2DM in Han nationality. METHODS: The APM1 gene 5'-UTR was screened by direct sequencing to identify common polymorphisms. Identified SNPs were genotyped in 585 nondiabetic controls, 278 subjects with impaired glucose intolerance (IGT) and 212 patients with T2DM. The functions of SNPs in the regulatory region were assessed by reporter gene assay. Possible association between SNPs and plasma APMI levels or metabolic parameters was statistically assessed. RESULTS: Three SNPs were identified in the APM1 gene 5'-UTR. A case-control study revealed that SNP -11377 G/C had significant differences in allele frequencies between T2DM patients and nondiabetic controls (G 0.314/C 0.686 vs. G 0.265/C 0.735, P=0.03). Haplotype analysis of three SNPs in the APM1 gene showed that no significant association of haplotypes with T2DM. IGT was detected in the present study. Reporter gene assay showed that SNP did not influence the transcription efficiency in the 3T3-L1 cell line. CONCLUSION: SNP -11377 G/C in the proximal promoter region of the APM1 gene contributes to the development of T2DM in Han nationality but may not be a functional SNP in the APM1 gene.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene polymorphism and enzymatic activity with essential hypertension in different gender: A case-control study.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an important role in the development of essential hypertension (EH). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of ACE2 gene polymorphisms and enzymatic activity with EH in the northeastern Chinese Han population. 34 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci of ACE2 were detected in 1024 EH patients and 956 normotensive (NT) controls by Sequenom Mass-ARRAY RS1000. Five SNPs (rs1514283, rs4646155, rs4646176, rs2285666, and rs879922) in ACE2 gene were determined to significantly associate with EH in female participants, while no SNP locus was linked to male group. Specifically, it was the first time to report that rs4646155 was significantly associated with EH in females. Furthermore, the correlation between ACE2 activity and clinical parameters were performed by Pearson correlation analysis in EH patients. We found that the ACE2 activity level was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), DBP, and pulse pressure, and significantly positively with ACE2 concentration, blood glucose and estrogen level in female EH patients. These results demonstrated that the genetic variants of ACE2 played vital roles in the development of EH. And the serum ACE2 activity can predict the development of cardiac dysfunction in EH patients.