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Age- and gender-dependent association of the –344C/T polymorphism of CYP11B2 with blood pressure in European populations

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 21, pages 333–336 (2007)Cite this article

The −344C/T polymorphism in the 5′ promoter region of CYP11B2 has been associated with arterial hypertension and hypertension-related phenotypes with conflicting results, probably attributable to gender-, age-, and ethnicity-related variations in its phenotypic expression. We evaluated the association of −344C/T polymorphism with blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension in a large sample of men and women participating to the IMMIDIET project, a population-based cross-sectional study in three European countries (Italy, UK, Belgium). In this population sample, the C allele of −344C/T was associated with higher blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension in younger men but not in older men and in women, thus, suggesting that this allele may confer increased susceptibility to hypertension early in life.

The aldosterone synthase gene, CYP11B2, encodes for a cytochrome P450 enzyme, involved in the terminal steps of aldosterone synthesis in the zona glomerulosa cells of human adrenal glands. The candidacy for this gene is based on its pathogenic role in the syndrome of glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism.1 The −344C/T polymorphism, which is located at a putative binding site for the steroidogenic transcription factor (SF-1), has been associated with hypertension and with other hypertensive intermediate phenotypes related to aldosterone synthesis and activity.2, 3 Although some studies have not confirmed these associations,2 this locus may be important in blood pressure and cardiovascular regulation.2, 3 Several factors such as gender,4 ethnicity5 and age6, 7, 8 could be involved in the phenotypic expression of this polymorphism. In particular, Sarzani et al.7 reported that C allele of −344C/T was associated with higher blood pressure levels in young adults.

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Author notes

  1. P Russo, M Loguercio, F Lauria, G Barba, J Arnout, F P Cappuccio, L Iacoviello and A Siani: The IMMIDIET project was funded by the European Commission Fifth Framework Program, contract QLK1-CT-2000. All members of the group are listed in the Appendix.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Epidemiology & Population Genetics, Institute of Food Sciences, CNR, Avellino, Italy

    P Russo, M Loguercio, F Lauria, G Barba & A Siani

  2. Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    J Arnout

  3. Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK

    F P Cappuccio

  4. Research Laboratories, Centre for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy

    L Iacoviello

Authors
  1. P Russo
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  2. M Loguercio
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  3. F Lauria
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  4. G Barba
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  5. J Arnout
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  6. F P Cappuccio
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  7. L Iacoviello
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  8. A Siani
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on behalf of the European Collaborative Group of the IMMIDIET Project

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Siani.

Appendix

Appendix

The IMMIDIET Group, Collaborative Centers and Associated Investigators:

  • Centre for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy (Maria Benedetta Donati, Licia Iacoviello, Franco Zito, Augusto Di Castelnuovo, Americo Bonanni, Branislav Vohnout, Marco Olivieri, Amalia De Curtis, Agneska Pampuch);

  • Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Jef Arnout, Carla Dirckx, Ward Achten);

  • Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Frank Buntinx, Carla Dirckx, Jan Heyrman);

  • Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom (Francesco P Cappuccio, Michelle A Miller);

  • Department of Epidemiology, NUTRIM Subdivision of Nutritional Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands (Peter Dagnelie, Martien van Dongen, Dirk Lemaître);

  • Laboratoire Nutrition, Vieillissement et Maladies Cardiovasculaires, UFR de Médécine et Pharmacie, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France (Michel de Lorgeril);

  • Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy (Vittorio Krogh, Sabrina Sieri, Manuela Bellegotti, Daniela Del Sette Cerulli);

  • Unit of Epidemiogy & Population Genetics, Institute of Food Sciences CNR, Avellino, Italy (Alfonso Siani, Gianvincenzo Barba, Paola Russo, Antonella Venezia).

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Russo, P., Loguercio, M., Lauria, F. et al. Age- and gender-dependent association of the –344C/T polymorphism of CYP11B2 with blood pressure in European populations. J Hum Hypertens 21, 333–336 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002136

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