Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major global health issue influenced by genetic, environmental and demographic factors. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), important for blood pressure regulation, has been linked to HTN in different ethnic populations, but research among the southern Bangladeshi population is unavailable. The aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the ACE2 gene G8790A polymorphism on essential HTN, considering epidemiological factors and gender-specific association. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 260 hypertensive and 234 healthy individuals from Chittagong Medical College, Bangladesh, to genotype the ACE2 G8790A polymorphism by the PCR-RFLP method. Physical, epidemiological and biochemical parameters were assessed to understand their relationship with genetic variations. Results: The study revealed a significant association between the ACE2 AG heterozygous genotype and HTN in females (OR = 15.44, 95% CI 3.56–67.02, P < 0.001) with no similar risk in males (P = 0.742). No significant correlation was identified between the ACE2 polymorphism and biochemical factors. HTN patients had significantly higher levels of serum creatinine (male: 25.11% vs 1.30%; female: 23.97% vs 0%; P < 0.001) and urine albumin (male: 3.40% vs 0%; female: 5.70% vs 0%; P < 0.001) than controls. The low level of HDL cholesterol was noted in HTN patients (male: 49.00% vs 24.78%, female: 48.40% vs 10.25%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: HTN patients with ACE2 gene mutant variants (AG and AA) showed a higher prevalence of diabetes and CVD. This is the first study to highlight a significant gender-specific association between the ACE2 G8790A heterozygous genotype and HTN in Bangladeshi women, offering a potential gender-based biomarker for managing HTN
Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major global health issue influenced by genetic, environmental and demographic factors. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), important for blood pressure regulation, has been linked to HTN in different ethnic populations, but research among the southern Bangladeshi population is unavailable. The aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the ACE2 gene G8790A polymorphism on essential HTN, considering epidemiological factors and gender-specific association. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 260 hypertensive and 234 healthy individuals from Chittagong Medical College, Bangladesh, to genotype the ACE2 G8790A polymorphism by the PCR-RFLP method. Physical, epidemiological and biochemical parameters were assessed to understand their relationship with genetic variations. Results: The study revealed a significant association between the ACE2 AG heterozygous genotype and HTN in females (OR = 15.44, 95% CI 3.56–67.02, P < 0.001) with no similar risk in males (P = 0.742). No significant correlation was identified between the ACE2 polymorphism and biochemical factors. HTN patients had significantly higher levels of serum creatinine (male: 25.11% vs 1.30%; female: 23.97% vs 0%; P < 0.001) and urine albumin (male: 3.40% vs 0%; female: 5.70% vs 0%; P < 0.001) than controls. The low level of HDL cholesterol was noted in HTN patients (male: 49.00% vs 24.78%, female: 48.40% vs 10.25%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: HTN patients with ACE2 gene mutant variants (AG and AA) showed a higher prevalence of diabetes and CVD. This is the first study to highlight a significant gender-specific association between the ACE2 G8790A heterozygous genotype and HTN in Bangladeshi women, offering a potential gender-based biomarker for managing HTN
The authors thank the Next-generation Sequencing, Research and Innovation Laboratory Chattogram (NRICh), Disease Biology and Molecular Epidemiology (dBme) Research Group, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Chittagong; Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh, for their constant support throughout the study. The authors also thank the patients enrolled in this research for making this work possible. The research team gratefully acknowledges the Asperia Healthcare Ltd., Chattogram, for providing biochemistry lab facilities. The authors acknowledge the Grants for Advanced Research in Education (GARE) program, and the Research and Publication Cell, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, for financial assistance