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Relation between the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T gene polymorphism and blood pressure in a large, homogeneous study population

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 17, pages 555–559 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association of the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism with arterial blood pressure (BP) at rest and under physical stress in a homogeneous large-scale study population. In all, 1903 men who passed routine medical examination for military flying duty were recruited. BP and heart rate were measured at rest, during, and after bicycle ergometry. Genotyping for the AGT M235T polymorphism was carried out by PCR and RFLP technique. The AGT T235 allele was associated with a significantly higher diastolic BP (n=1903; MM 81±8, MT 83±7, TT 83±8; P=0.003). Pulse pressure (PP) at rest differed significantly between AGT genotypes (n=1903; MM 51±10 mmHg, MT 49±10 mmHg, TT 49±10 mmHg; P=0.001). During physical activity, BP values showed no significant difference between genotypes. In healthy young men, the AGT T235 allele is significantly associated with elevated diastolic BP but also reduced PP at rest. During physical activity, the AGT polymorphism had no impact on blood pressure, indicating the existence of other counteracting mechanisms, which might balance the influence of this gene.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the START program of the University Hospital of Aachen. The work resulting in this report was performed under German Federal Ministry of Defense Contract 21L2-S-200103. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official policy of the German Federal Ministry of Defense. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the medical assistants of Dep. I and the backing of Dep. III of the German Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine.

JR Ortlepp designed the study, did statistical data analysis, J Metrikat coordinated and realized data collection, M Albrecht and P Maya-Pelzer helped with data collection, V Mevissen, F Schmitz, and K Zerres fulfilled genetic analysis, P Hanrath, K Zerres, and R Hoffmann took part in interpretation of data and critical revision. All authors helped to write the report. This work is part of the doctoral thesis of JM Conflict of Interest Statement: None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Clinic I, University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany

    J R Ortlepp, V Mevissen, F Schmitz, P Hanrath & R Hoffmann

  2. German Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine, Furstenfeldbruck, Germany

    J Metrikat, M Albrecht & P Maya-Pelzer

  3. Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany

    K Zerres

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  1. J R Ortlepp
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Correspondence to J R Ortlepp.

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Ortlepp, J., Metrikat, J., Mevissen, V. et al. Relation between the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T gene polymorphism and blood pressure in a large, homogeneous study population. J Hum Hypertens 17, 555–559 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001587

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