Negative association of endothelial nitric oxide gene polymorphism with hypertension in Turkish patients: effect of ecNOS polymorphism on left ventricular hypertrophy
2006

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Gene and Hypertension in Turkish Patients

Sample size: 110 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Olcay Ayhan, Ekmekci C Gokhan, Ozbek Ugur, Sezer Murat, Barcin Cem, Arslan Erol, Boztosun Bilal, Nisanci Yilmaz

Primary Institution: Istanbul School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Are endothelial nitric oxide synthase 4 gene polymorphisms related to left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients?

Conclusion

The study found that the endothelial nitric oxide synthase 4a/b gene polymorphism is not associated with hypertension in Turkish patients, but the 4a/a genotype is linked to higher interventricular septal thickness.

Supporting Evidence

  • The genotype frequencies for hypertensives were 6.4% for a/a, 23.6% for a/b, and 70% for b/b.
  • Patients with the 4a/a genotype had higher interventricular septal thickness compared to other genotypes.
  • Echocardiographic measurements showed no significant differences in left ventricular dimensions across genotypes.

Takeaway

This study looked at a gene that might affect blood pressure in Turkish people. It found that one version of the gene doesn't seem to cause high blood pressure, but it might make the heart thicker.

Methodology

A case-control study involving 110 hypertensive patients and 87 controls, with genotyping for endothelial nitric oxide synthase 4a/b polymorphism and echocardiographic measurements.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the treatment status of patients and the small sample size.

Limitations

All patients were treated with different drugs, and a detailed subgroup analysis could not be done due to small sample size.

Participant Demographics

Turkish hypertensive patients and healthy controls, with a mean age of 59.41 years for hypertensives and 40.53 years for controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-7120-4-33

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