VARIANTS OF RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM GENES AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC LEFT-VENTRICULAR MASS

Aims Variants of renin-angiotensin system genes are shown to be associ ated with cardiovascular pathology. The association between renin-angi otensin system genes and left ventricular mass was investigated in a p opulation-based case-control study. Methods and Results The associatio n between echocardiographic left ventricular mass and both insertion/d eletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the methionine-->threonine variant at position 235 of the angiotensinogen gene was studied in a random cohort of 430 hypertensive and 426 contr ol subjects. No differences in the adjusted left ventricular mass valu es between the different genotypes were seen among either the hyperten sive or the control subjects, whether men or women, or in the subgroup s of normotensive or physically active subjects. Gene variation had no statistically significant synergistic effect on left ventricular mass values. In control women, the deletion allele of the angiotensin-conv erting enzyme gene was associated with an increased risk of left ventr icular hypertrophy. However, this finding was based on a small number of women with left ventricular hypertrophy and should be interpreted w ith caution. Conclusion Variations in renin-angiotensin system genes h ad no major effect on left ventricular mass in this middle-aged popula tion-based cohort of hypertensives and control subjects.