Increased Plasma Angiotensinogen Level, BMI and Its Association with the Angiotensinogen Gene M235T Polymorphism and Essential Hypertension in Myanmar

Abstract

Introduction: There is alarming problem in increasing incidence of hypertension and its complications in Myanmar. The genetic background of hypertension is not known well in Myanmar population. The present study aimed to find out the association with angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism, plasma angiotensinogen level, BMI and essential hypertension in local area. Methods: There were 144 subjects, 72 hypertensive and 72 normotensives from internal medicine unit of Mandalay General Hospital and Mandalay area. After getting informed consents, determination of blood pressure and BMI were done. The AGT M235T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion of the products with Tth111I. The determination of plasma angiotensinogen level was done by ELISA method. Results: The odd ratio for essential hypertension of TT genotype was 4.93 (95% CI-1.97-5.40) and genotype frequency was statistically significant between hypertensive and normotensives, p<0.001. And subjects carrying T allele has 2.5 times greater chance for essential hypertension [OR=2.56 (95% CI-1.59-4.13)]. The plasma angiotensinogen level in hypertensive was 65.00 ± 27.73 ng/ml and 24.87 ± 15.06 ng/ml in normotensives (p<0.001). Moreover, subjects carrying TT genotype have increased plasma angiotensionogen than other genotypes in both hypertensive and normotensives (P<0.001). Determination of their BMI, there was found that significance difference between hypertensive than that of normotensives (p<0.001). In normotensives, 9.7% has TT genotypes and interestingly they have increased BMI than other genotypes. Conclusion: In fact, the study noted that there was association between AGT M235T polymorphism and increased plasma angiotensinogen and increased BMI in essential hypertension.