C825T polymorphism in the human G protein beta 3 subunit gene and preeclampsia; a case control study

Recently, a polymorphism of the gene encoding for the G protein beta3-subunit (GNB3) has been described. The T allele of this polymorphism (825T) is associated with endothelium dysfunction. Endothelium dysfunction has been described in women with preeclampsia. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that in women who have had preeclampsia the T allele is more prevalent than in controls.

We conducted a case-control study of 157 women with preeclampsia during 1991-1996. Cases and controls were tested for the presence of 825T by genotyping. Logistic regression methods were used for data analysis.

The frequency of the T allele of the GNB3 gene was similar in cases (0.30) and controls (0.27) (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.88-1.75). Compared to controls, we found a high frequency of the T allele in patients with the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome (odds ratio 4.25, 95% confidence interval 1.12-16.05).

The frequency of the T allele of the GNB3 gene, which serves as a marker for endothelium dysfunction, was not different between women with preeclampsia and controls. Women with the HELLP syndrome had a high frequency of the T allele. This suggests that this polymorphism in the GNB3 gene does not contribute to endothelium dysfunction in women with preeclampsia while it does contribute in women with the HELLP syndrome.