Impact of gene polymorphisms on vascular changes in hypertensive patients

Aim. To study the relationship between specific gene polymorphisms and arterial stiffness to assess the impact of these gene polymorphisms on the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Material and methods. Seventy-seven patients, with an average age of 52,9±11,3 years, were examined. Patients underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations, including volume sphygmoplethysmography to assess the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), biochemical blood tests, and gene polymorphism determination. Patients were divided into two groups based on hypertension (HTN) presence. Each group was then divided into three subgroups based on CAVI level as follows: CAVI <8, CAVI 8,0-8,9, and CAVI >9.

Results. In the HTN group, the frequency of T/C and T/T genotypes of the AGT C521T polymorphism was higher in all three subgroups compared to the control one. The T/C genotype of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism was more common in the HTN group in the subgroups with CAVI <8 and CAVI >9, while the T/T genotype was more common in the control group with CAVI of 8,0-8,9. In the subgroup with CAVI of 8,0-8,9, the C/C allele of the NOS3 T786C polymorphism was significantly more common in the control group, while the T/C allele was predominant in the control group with CAVI <8. In the control group with a CAVI <8 and a CAVI of 8,0-8,9, the T/T genotype of the NOS3 G894T polymorphism was more common, while the T/G allele was more common in the hypertensive group with a CAVI of 8,0-8,9.

Conclusion. The AGT C521T polymorphism can serve as a marker of early vascular damage in patients with confirmed HTN. The homozygous C/C genotype of the AGT T704C polymorphism more likely leads to HTN. The study of genetic polymorphisms pushes the boundaries for rethinking the onset and development of HTN and cardiovascular diseases.

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