Association analysis of 24-h blood pressure records with I D ACE gene polymorphism and ABO blood group system

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between 24-h blood pressure parameters, insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme gene and the ABO blood group system in a sample of the ge neral Czech population. Fourteen parameters describing the 24-h blood press ure readings were obtained by analyzing blood pressure records in 243 volun teers, 119 men and 124 women. These parameters were adjusted for sex and bo dy mass index (BMI) by means of multiple regression test. All subjects were genotyped for the insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I convert ing enzyme (I/D ACE) gene and routinely examined for the blood group phenot ype in the ABO system. An association was found between the interaction of I/D ACE gene polymorphism and ABO blood group system on the one hand and me an values of systolic (p=0.016) or mean arterial (p=0.027) blood pressures and the phase shift of 24-h BP rhythm (p=0.036) on the other hand. Among th ree I/D ACE variants the DD genotype was associated with the highest values of mean blood pressure in blood group A and AB carriers. The same genotype was associated with the lowest blood pressures in blood group B and O carr iers. In subjects with the DD genotype, the earlier daily position of the m aximum of 24-h BP rhythm was found in blood group B, AB and O carriers. On the contrary, blood group A was associated with the latest position of maxi mum of the 24-h BP rhythm in the DD genotypes.