Renin angiotensin system polymorphisms in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS)

Background: The genes associated with hypertension could be genetic risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Aim: To determine the frequency of M235T and T174M-AGT, I/D-ACE and A1166C-AGTR1 in hypertensive patients with MetS and to evaluate the relationship between these polymorphisms and central obesity and dyslipidemia, respectively. Materials and methods: We performed AGT, AGTR1 and ACE genotyping in 56 hypertensive women (24 with MetS) and 71 normotensive women using PCR-RFLP methods and PCR, respectively. Results: Hypertensive patients carrying the mutated TT235, MM174 and DD genotypes had an 1.53 (p = 0.56), 1.78 (p = 0.52) and 1.28 (p = 0.78)-fold increased risk to develop MetS. Hypertensive carriers of both mutated TT235 and MM174 or TT235 and D/D or TT235 and CC + AC genotypes had an 8.15 (p = 0.04), 4.83 (p = 0.04) and 10.53 (p = 0.05)-fold increased risk to develop MetS. Hypertensive patients with MetS and TT, D/D or CC genotypes had higher body mass index compared to hypertensive patients without MetS (p <= 0.05 for all the genotypes). Hypertensive patients with MetS and TT235, MM174, D/D or CC1166 genotypes had higher triglyceride levels, lower HDL-cholesterol levels and higher waist circumference compared to hypertensive patients without MetS (p <= 0.05, except for the association between CC1166 and HDL-cholesterol level). Conclusions: The effect of the T174M, I/D and A1166C polymorphisms on MetS may depend on the M235T polymorphism. Among hypertensive subjects with MetS, the presence of TT235, MM174, DD and CC1166 genotypes could be a risk factor for central obesity and dyslipidemia. (C) 2010 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.