Association of-2548 G/A Polymorphism in the Leptin Gene with Preeclampsia/Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Objectives To investigate -2548 G/A polymorphism of LEP gene, plasma leptin and soluble leptin receptor in preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension Methods Sixty two patients and 63 controls (normal pregnancies) studied in the third trimester Leptin and soluble leptin receptor measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay and -2548 G/A polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion Results Frequency of the AA genotype was significantly (p <0 001) higher in patients The A allele conferred a relative risk of 1 67 for the disease (p < 0 0001) Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension significantly (p < 0 001 to 0 0001) affected leptin and soluble leptin receptor concentrations, free leptin index and leptin normalized to body mass index Genotype significantly (p < 0 05) influenced only the soluble leptin receptor concentrations Conclusions Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension appears to be associated with higher circulating leptin and lower SLR levels, and with the AA genotype of -2548 G/A polymorphism of the leptin gene