The rs1403543 Polymorphism of AGTR2, Which Encodes the Type-2 Angiotensin II Receptor, and Left Ventricular Mass in Polish Full-Term Newborns

Background/Objectives: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a significant independent risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are some reports indicating an association of rs1403543 (1675G>A) polymorphism in the AGTR2 gene, which encodes the type-2 angiotensin II receptor, with left ventricular hypertrophy or increased left ventricular mass (LVM) in adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of the AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism with LVM in full-term Polish healthy newborns. Methods: The study group comprised 207 consecutive, full-term, healthy newborns. LVM was assessed, on the 3rd day after birth, from the M-mode echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular dimensions using the Penn convention, with the Huwez et al.-modified equation mode. The AGTR2 polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP in genomic DNA extracted from cord blood leukocytes. Results: There were no significant differences in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of male newborns in regard to the AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism. However, the LVM/body mass ratio in female newborns carrying at least one A allele (i.e., with genotype GA or AA) was significantly lower as compared to its value in reference (GG) homozygotes. In addition, in female newborns, the frequency of AGTR2 genotypes with at least one A allele was significantly higher in the lower tertile of LVM/body mass or LVM/body surface area (calculated using the Mosteller formula) ratios as compared with upper tertiles. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism may be associated with the physiological variability of cardiac mass in female newborns.