G protein beta 3 subunit variant and essential hypertension in Taiwan - a case-control study

Recent studies have shown that a C825T polymorphism of the gene encoding th e G protein beta 3 subunit contributes to the genesis of essential hyperten sion. However, the link between the gene and blood pressure is not consiste ntly found in different populations. The aim of the present study is to inv estigate this issue in Taiwan. We analyzed the allelic status in 302 hypert ensive (age, 60+/-11 years; male/female, 136/166) and 199 normotensive subj ects (62+/-15 years; male/female, 90/109). Our result showed that the T all elic was more frequently seen in the hypertensive group than the normotensi ve, but the difference did not reach statistic significance (56.5 vs. 54.3% , P>0.1). Subsequent analysis demonstrated a similar trend in the female (5 8.7 vs. 53.7%, P>0.1) but a reverse trend in the male (53.7 vs. 55%, P>0.1) . Another finding was that the T allele frequency in all the groups was ove r 50%, markedly higher than those reported in whites. In conclusion, the ob servation suggests that the polymorphism in the G protein gene is not likel y to play an important role in the manifestation of high blood pressure in Taiwan. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.