Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism and its Association with Hypertension in South Indian Population

Hypertension, a well known risk factor for various cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and renal events is an important public health challenge. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) being the most vital pathogenic mechanism of hypertension is mediated by a key component; the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). The present study was aimed to know the relationship of ACE gene polymorphism and the possible risk of development of hypertension in south Indian population. The study included 101 clinically diagnosed hypertensive patients without any associated disease condition and 81 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) amplification of the intron 16 fragment harboring the 287 bp Alu repeat sequence. Three possible genotypes D/D, I/I homozygous and I/D heterozygous were analyzed where the D/D genotypes corresponds to higher ACE levels (D-Deletion, I-Insertion). The PCR products were separated on 2 % agarose gel. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.15 software program. We found a significance in frequency of D/D genotype in the hypertensive patients compared to the control group (p = 0.0005, odd's ratio = 4.157). This suggested that ACE (D/D) genotypes are more prone for the development of hypertension. This is relatively a pilot study; but nevertheless may assist in identifying the pathophysiological cause of hypertension.