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Age-related increase of pulse pressure and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 I/D gene polymorphism in essential

J-J Mourad1, G du Cailar, E-M Nazal

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Avicenne Hospital-AP-HP, Bobigny, France.

Journal of Internal Medicine
|December 21, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene polymorphism influences how pulse pressure (PP) increases with age in essential hypertension patients. This finding offers new insights into cardiovascular risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Genetics
  • Hypertension Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pulse pressure (PP) is a key indicator of arterial wall strain and a significant predictor of cardiovascular (CV) risk, especially coronary arterial stenosis.
  • Mechanical strain influences genes involved in hemostasis and fibrinolysis.
  • Essential hypertension is a common condition with significant CV implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between age and PP across different genotypes of the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene polymorphism.
  • To determine gender-adjusted differences in this relationship in individuals with untreated essential hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the PAI-1 gene polymorphism (insertion/deletion at -675).
  • Statistical modeling to assess the relationship between age and PP, adjusted for gender.
  • Comparison of age-related PP changes across the three PAI-1 genotypes (II, ID, DD).

Main Results:

  • The deletion/deletion (DD) genotype at position -675 of the PAI-1 gene was associated with a significantly steeper age-related increase in PP compared to other genotypes.
  • No significant differences were observed in age-related changes for systolic, diastolic, or mean blood pressure across genotypes.
  • This suggests a specific modulation of PP by the PAI-1 genotype independent of overall blood pressure changes.

Conclusions:

  • The PAI-1 I/D gene polymorphism plays a role in modulating the age-dependent increase of pulse pressure in essential hypertension.
  • These findings highlight complex interactions between genetic factors (PAI-1), mechanical forces (PP), and cardiovascular risk.
  • This research opens new avenues for understanding and potentially managing CV risk in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract

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