Causal associations between gastroesophageal reflux disease and essential hypertension: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Clinical studies have reported that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)have a higher prevalence of hypertension.AIM To performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis to investi-gate the causal link between GERD and essential hypertension.METHODS Eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were selected,and weighted median,inverse variance weighted(IVW)as well as MR egger(MR-Egger)re-gression were used to examine the potential causal association between GERD and hypertension.The MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier analysis was used to detect and attempt to reduce horizontal pleiotropy by removing outliers SNPs.The MR-Egger intercept test,Cochran’s Q test and“leave-one-out”sen-sitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy,heterogen-eities,and stability of single instrumental variable.RESULTS IVW analysis exhibited an increased risk of hypertension(OR=1.46,95%CI:1.33-1.59,P=2.14E-16)in GERD patients.And the same result was obtained in replication practice(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.0008-1.003,P=0.000498).Meanwhile,the IVW analysis showed an increased risk of systolic blood pressure(β=0.78,95%CI:0.11-1.44,P=0.021)and hypertensive heart disease(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.36-2.08,P=0.0000016)in GERD patients.Moreover,we found an decreased risk of Barrett's esophagus(OR=0.91,95%CI:0.83-0.99,P=0.043)in essential hypertension patients.CONCLUSION We found that GERD would increase the risk of essential hypertension,which provided a novel prevent and therapeutic perspectives of essential hypertension.

Plasma Norepinephrine and Hemorheology in Essential Hypertensive Patients with Different Patterns of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

对80例不同类型高血压左室肥厚（LVH）患者的血浆去甲肾上腺素（NE）和血液流变学改变进行观察。结果显示，（1）向心性肥厚组（CH）高切变率下全血粘度（WBV230）显著升高；（2）不对称性室间隔肥厚组（ASH）血浆NE和收缩末期室壁应力（ESS）增高较明显；（3）多元回归分析显示，SBP，ESS和血浆NE是影响相对室壁厚度的重要因素。提示CH是一种对压力负荷过重而产生的代偿形式；ASH的形成除了负荷因素外血浆NE可能起更重要的作用。

Relationship of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 Gene Polymorphisms with Essential Hypertension in Chinese Han Population

Objective: There are numerous studies suggesting that genetic polymor-phisms of inflammation factors Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2, TLR4) might play a role in the pathophysiological process of hypertension. In this study, we evaluated the association in a sample of members of the Chinese Han population. Method: We selected four single nucleotide polymor-phisms (SNP) of TLR2 (rs3804099, rs3804100, rs7656411) and TLR4 (rs1927906) genes, and measured the distributions of genotypic and allelic frequencies in 1063 participants, including 391 essential hypertension pa-tients and 672 controls. Result: No significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the four SNPs were detected between cases and controls. However, three haplotypes, CCG, TTG and TTT of TLR2, were significantly associated with a decrease in the risk of essential hyperten-sion (OR: 0.512, 95% CI: 0.397 - 0.660, P P = 0.0038;OR: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.667 - 0.952, P = 0.0122, respectively). Inversely, the risk of essential hypertension increased sig-nificantly in patients with the CTG, TCG or TCT haplotypes (OR: 2.924, 95% CI: 2.157 - 3.963, P P P Conclusion: Our study suggested that haplotypes (CCG, TTG, TTT, CTG, TCG and TCT) of TLR2 might have profound effects on the development of essential hypertension in the Chinese Han population.

Pannexin-1 hemi-channels mediate pyroptosis on peripheral blood monocytes in patients with essential hypertension via regulating NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway

Objective:To explore the role of NLRP3/Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis on peripheral blood monocytes in patients with essential hypertension(EH),and its regulation by pannexin-1(Panx-1)hemi-channels.Methods:The peripheral blood of EH patients and healthy subjects was collected,peripheral plasma of the two groups was subsequently separated,and IL-1βcontent in peripheral plasma was further measured by ELISA.In the meantime,the monocytes from peripheral blood were sorted by immunomagnetic beads,and mRNA and protein expression of Panx-1,NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules(NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1),downstream effector IL-1β,and pyroptosis-related protein GSDMD,were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.Subsequently,human primary monocytes in two group were cultured in vitro.Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the expression and location of Panx-1 on monocytes.Finally,the cultured monocytes from EH patients were exposed to NLRP3 inflammasome activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS),and also to LPS pretreated with Panx-1 hemi-channel inhibitor probenecid or specific Panx-1 siRNA,followed by collection of the cell culture supernatant and monocytes.The cell viability of each group was detected by CCK-8 assay,IL-1βcontent in the culture supernatant was analyzed by ELISA,and the expression of target proteins on monocytes was determined by Western blot assay.Results:Compared with healthy subjects,EH patients showed higher IL-1βcontent in peripheral plasma,and increased expression in both mRNA and protein levels for Panx-1,NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules,IL-1βand GSDMD on peripheral monocytes.Furthermore,Panx-1 protein in EH patients was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects and localized on monocyte membrane as evidenced by immunofluorescence assay.In the cultured human primary monocytes from EH patients,the cell viability in each group showed no significant difference.LPS stimulation can induce NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis,by showing an increase in IL-1βcontent in cell culture supernatant and protein expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules and GSDMD on monocytes,by LPS exposure.However,the above stimulating effect of LPS could be counteracted by pretreatment with probenecid or Panx-1 siRNA.Conclusion:The NLRP3/Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis is activated on peripheral blood monocytes in patients with EH,and this activation could be regulated by Panx-1 hemi-channels.

Exploring the therapeutic effects of Cortex Lycii on essential hypertension

Background:Essential hypertension affects over a billion people worldwide.Despite the absence of a definitive cure,current treatments primarily aim to manage blood pressure levels.There is a compelling need for antihypertensive medications that offer high effectiveness,low toxicity,and minimal side effects.Objective:This study seeks to investigate the antihypertensive properties of Cortex Lycii by employing network pharmacology and validating the findings through molecular docking.Methods:We utilized various platforms and databases related to traditional Chinese medicine to identify the active compounds within Cortex Lycii.Targets associated with hypertension were gathered from well-established disease-related resources.Shared targets were delineated using the EVenn.Subsequently,we conducted GO and KEGG analyses through the DAVID platform and visualized the resultant network with Cytoscape.Molecular docking was carried out using Autodock Vina and PyMOL.Results:Our investigation revealed ten active compounds in Cortex Lycii that demonstrated correlation with 82 essential hypertension-associated targets.These shared targets were categorized into four distinct clusters,each with unique functions.Fourteen hub targets were singled out based on predefined selection criteria.GO analysis unveiled the participation of shared targets in various biological processes linked to hypertension.KEGG analysis identified ten significant signaling pathways associated with hypertension development.Molecular docking analysis provided confirmation of the interaction between the selected hub targets and the active compounds.Conclusion:Cortex Lycii,a traditional Chinese herb with a long history of use,exerts its antihypertensive effects through a combination of active compounds,involvement of multiple targets,regulation of various biological processes,and modulation of key signaling pathways.

Correlation between IL-33/sST2 signaling pathway and patients with essential hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

Objective:To detect the levels of interleukin-33(IL-33)and soluble ST2(sST2)in peripheral blood of patients with essential hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy,and to discusstheir correlation with patients with essential hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy was further discussed.Methods:A total of 220 patients with essential hypertension treated in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College were enrolled as the experimental group.According to left ventricular mass index(LVMI),patients with essential hypertension were divided into the non-left ventricular hypertrophy group(NLVH,n=108 cases)and the left ventricular hypertrophy group(LVH,n=112 cases).We used ELISA to detect the serum levels of IL-33 and sST2,the expression levels of IL-33 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the NLVH group and the LVH group(60 cases each)were detected by Western blot,and the relationship between IL-33 and LVMI,a marker of left ventricular hypertrophic condition,was analyzed by Pearson.The relationship between IL-33,sST2 and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension was studied.Results:Compared with the NLVH group,the expression levels of IL-33 and sST2 in the LVH group were significantly increased.The results of Western blot showed that the expression level of IL-33 in the LVH group(1.07±0.08)was higher than that in the NLVH group(0.63±0.05)(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that IL-33 was positively correlated with LVMI,sST2 was positively correlated with LVMI.Conclusion:The levels of IL-33 and sST2 in serum and the expression levels of IL-33 protein in peripheral blood lymphocytes are significantly increased in patients with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy,and the occurrence and development of essential hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy may be related to IL-33 and sST2.

Elevated blood pressure: Our family's fault?The genetics of essential hypertension

AIM: To provide an updated review on current genetic aspects possibly affecting essential hypertension(EH), and to further elucidate their role in EH. METHODS: We searched for genetic and epigenetic factors in major studies associated with EH between Jan 2008-Oct 2013 using PubMed. We limited our search to reviews that discussed mostly human studies, and were accessible through the university online re-source. We found 11 genome wide association studies(GWAS), as well as five methylation and three miRNA studies that fit our search criteria. A distinction was not made between genes with protective effects or nega-tive effects, as this article is only meant to be a sum-mary of genes associated with any aspect of EH.RESULTS: We found 130 genes from the studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of note, genes withmultiple study references include: STK39, CYP17A1, MTHFR-NPPA, MTHFR-NPPB, ATP2B1, CSK, ZNF652, UMOD, CACNB2, PLEKHA7, SH2B3, TBX3-TBX5, ULK4, CSK-ULK3, CYP1A2, NT5C2, CYP171A, PLCD3, SH2B3, ATXN2, CACNB2, PLEKHA7, SH2B3, TBX3-TBX5, ULK4, and HFE. The following genes overlapped between the genetic studies and epigenetic studies: WNK4 and BDKRB2. Several of the identified genes were found to have functions associated with EH. Many epigenetic factors were also correlated with EH. Of the epigenetic factors, there were no articles discussing siRNA and its effects on EH that met the search criteria, thus the topic was not included in this review. Among the miRNA tar-gets found to be associated with EH, many of the genes involved were also identified in the GWAS studies.CONCLUSION: Genetic hypertension risk algorithms could be developed in the future but may be of limited benefit due to the multi-factorial nature of EH. With emerging technologies, like next-generation sequenc-ing, more direct causal relationships between genetic and epigenetic factors affecting EH will likely be discov-ered creating a tremendous potential for personalized medicine using pharmacogenomics.

Association of the level of heteroplasmy of the 15059G>A mutation in the MT-CYB mitochondrial gene with essential hypertension

AIM: To examine whether the heteroplasmy level for 15059G>A mutation in the mitochondrial genome might be associated with essential hypertension. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 196 unrelated participants randomly selected from general population (90 males and 106 females) who underwent a regular medical check-up at the Institute for Ath-erosclerosis Research (Moscow, Russia). One hundred and twenty of them (61%) had essential hypertension, and 76 (39%) were apparently healthy normotensive persons. The level of heteroplasmy for 15059G>A mutation occurring in the coding region of cytochrome b gene (MT-CYB) of mtDNA isolated from the blood leukocytes, was quantified using DNA pyrosequencing method. RESULTS: The 15059G>A heteroplasmy level ranged between 4% and 83%, with a median level of 31%. Between the upper and lower quartiles of 15059G>A heteroplasmy distribution, significant differences were observed for patients' age, systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. 15059G>A heteroplasmy correlated both with age (r = 0.331, P < 0.001) and the presence of hypertension (r = 0.228, P = 0.002). Regression analysis revealed that the age explains 12% variability of 15059G>A heteroplasmy, and hypertension independently explains more 5% variability. The 15059G>A heteroplasmy exceeding 31% was found to be significantly associated with a higher risk of essential hypertension (odds ratio 2.76; P (Fisher) 0.019]. The study participants with high 15059G>A heteroplasmy level were found to have significantly higher age (P < 0.001) and the prevalence of essential hypertension (P = 0.033), as compared to those with low 15059G>A heteroplasmy level. These observations suggested a positive correlation between the level of 15059G>A heteroplasmy and essential hypertension. CONCLUSION: This study provides the evidence of association of mtDNA 15059G>A mutation heteroplasmy with essential hypertension.

The Association of Psychological Stress Related Cytokines (TNF Alpha, IFN-Gamma) with Essential Hypertension in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

The study aimed to explore the association between psychological stress-related cytokines and essential hypertension to provide the theoretical basis for the prevention and control of the essential hypertension. We screened hypertension patients in six communities in Wuzhong City of Ningxia, and chose the healthy people who had lived in the same community for full 5 years as a control group. Finally, we selected 210 pairs of cases and controls randomly, including 108 pairs of Hui and 102 pairs of Han (50% male;age 35 -74). The results showed that the serum TNF alpha levels of hypertension group were higher than the control group (ρ 0.01), and the serum IFN-gamma levels were lower than the control group both in Hui and Han (ρ 0.01). Further analysis showed that the serum TNF alpha level of the Hui hypertension group was higher than the Han hypertension group (ρ 0.01), while the serum IFN-gamma level was lower than Han hypertension group (ρ 0.01). In conclusion, TNF alpha and IFN-gamma were the important related cytokines between psychological stress and hypertension, and taking effective measures to control the level of serum TNF alpha. IFN-gamma may have the vital significance in alleviating or preventing the genesis and development of essential hypertension.

ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF POLYMORPHISMS OF ACE GENE AND AGT GENE WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION IN CHINESE HAN'S POPULATION

Objective. To investigate whether the polymorphisms in the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and angiotensinogen (AGT) gene are associated with essential hypertension. Methods. A case-control study was carried out using 103 hypertensive (HT) and 131 normotensive (NT) subjects. The insertion/deletion(I / D ) polymorphism of the ACE gene and the methionine→threo- nine variant at position 235 (M235T) of the AGT gene were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) analysis, respective- ly. Results. The differences of D allele frequency and genotype distribution of the ACE gene between NT and HT groups were statistically significant (X^2=18.12, P<0. 005 ). The T235 allele frequency of the AGT gene was 69% in NT Chinese group (approximately 1. 38 to l. 64 fold that in Caucasians), and was greater in female HT than in NT (0. 82 vs 0. 72, X^2= 8. l, P<0. 025). A correlation between M235T molecular variant of the AGT gene and I/D molecular variant of ACE gene to hypertension was found. Cbeclusions. The possession of D allele of the ACE gene might be a marker for predisposition to hyper- tension. The T235 allele of the AGT gene was more common in Chinese than in Caucasians, and might contribute to the risk for hypertension in female Chinese.

Polymorphisms of Renin-angiotensin System in Essential Hypertension in Chinese Tibetans

Objective To evaluate the potential implications of the genetic variability of angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensinogen and angiotensinⅡtype 1 receptor gene for essential hypertension in Tibetan. Methods A case-control study was conducted in 173 hypertensive individuals and 193 individuals with normal blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risks of developing hypertension for different genotypes, and haplotype analyses of the angiotensinogen gene were used to determine the association between two-locus angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and hypertension. Results As to the risk to high blood pressure and high systolic pressure, women with MM genotype were 7.7 (95% CI: 1.3-20.5) and 8.7 (95% CI: 1.8-20.1) times higher than those with TT genotype after adjustment for age and body mass index. Haplotype frequencies for M235T and G-6A were significantly different between hypertensive individuals and controls, which indicated an association of angiotensinogen gene haplotypes with hypertension, and a significant association of 235T/-6A haplotype with hypotensive effect. Conclusion Our results suggest that angiotensinogen gene 235MM is a predictor for hypertension development in Tibetan women but not in men, and may exert its hypertensive effect on linkage disequilibrum with a possible function locus of G-6A.

Association between essential hypertension and polymorphisms of beta 1 adrenergic receptor gene G1165C (Gly389Arg) in Chinese Mongolian population

BACKGROUND: The prevalences of hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, etc. are higher in Mongolian population because of the influence of various factors including genetics, geography, diet, etc. Therefore, it is helpful to develop researches on the genetics of various diseases including hypertension in Mongolian population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the polymorphism of beta1 adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) gene G1165C (Arg389Gly), an important candidate gene for various diseases of cardiovascular system, and essential hypertension in Mongolian population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical College; Wulate Houqi Red Cross Society. PARTICIPANTS: The survey was carried out from February 2003 to March 2005. Totally 239 Mongolian residents, whose blood relations of 3 generations were all Mongolians, were selected from Wulate Houqi, Inner Mongolia, and they were all informed with the survey and detected items. Based on the diagnostic standard of hypertension set by WHO in 1999, the subjects were divided into two groups according to the level blood pressure: ① Normal blood pressure group (n=117): systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mm Hg, and those having histories of cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, diseases of liver, kidney and tiroides, and diabetes mellitus were excluded. ② Essential hypertension group (n=122): including 51 patients with simple high SBP. All the enrolled subjects had no blood relationship with each other, and had no history of miscegenation. METHODS: The body height, body mass, waist circumference and blood lipids were measured routinely, and their habits of smoking and drinking were also investigated. Peripheral venous blood (5 mL) was drawn, the genome DNA was extracted, and the polymorphisms of the β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) genotype were detected with the Sequenom system. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiment and SNP detection were performed in Huada Gene Laboratory of Bejing, then the univariate analysis of variance was applied in the sample comparison among groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the genotypes and allele frequencies. The odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distributions of β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) genotypes and alleles were observed. RESULTS: All the 239 subjects were involved in the analysis of results, and no one missed. ①Comparison of β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) genotypes and allele distributions: In Mongolian population, the frequencies of CC and GG+GC genotypes at β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) site in the essential hypertension group (72%, 28%) were not significantly different from those in the normal blood pressure group (67%, 33%) (χ2=0.841, P=0.359; OR: 0.773, 95%CI: 0.445-1.342); The frequencies of C and G alleles also had no significant differences between the essential hypertension group (85%, 15%) and the normal blood pressure group (82%, 18%) (χ2=1.136, P=0.287; OR: 0.769, 95%CI: 0.747-1.248). ②The frequencies of CC and GG+GC genotypes at β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) site had no significant differences between the patients with simple high SBP (71%, 29%) and the normal blood pressure group (χ2=0.250, P=0.617; OR: 0.833, 95%CI: 0.408-1.703); The frequencies of C and G alleles were not significantly different between the patients with simple high SBP (86%, 14%) and the normal blood pressure group (χ2=0.670, P=0.413; OR: 0.766, 95%CI: 0.404-1.453). CONCLUSION: In Mongolian population, the distributions of the genotypes and alleles of β1-AR G1165C (Gly389Arg) have no obvious differences between the subjects with normal blood pressure and the patients with essential hypertension (including simple SBP increase), which suggests that G1165C (Glu389Asp) site of β1-AR gene may be not a genetic mark of essential hypertension and simple high SBP in Mongolian population.

Assessment of Left Atrial Function by Full Volume Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography and Left Atrial Tracking in Essential Hypertension Patients with Different Patterns of Left Ventricular Geometric Models

Objective To evaluate left atrial function in essential hypertension patients with different patterns of left ventricular geometric models by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE)and left atrial tracking(LAT).Methods One hundred and thirty-three patients with essential hypertension were divided into four groups according to criteria proposed by Ganau et al:36 patients in normal pattern group(I),34 patients in concentric remodelling pattern group(II),33 patients in concentric hypertrophy pattern group(III),and 30patients in eccentric hypertrophy pattern group(IV).Thirty-two healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.RT-3DE and LAT were used to obtain the volume-time and emptying fraction curves,and then the maximal volume,minimal volume,stroke volume,presystolic volume,ejection fraction,systolic filling rate,early diastolic emptying rate and late diastolic emptying rate of the left atrium were measured.Conduit volume and passive emptying volume of the left atrium were calculated.Results Left atrial indexes,conduit volume,passive emptying volume,and early diastolic emptying rate decreased,while the other indices increased in the group I compared with the control group(all P<0.05).Compared with the control group,I and II groups,the left atrial volume parameters manifested change in the group III and group IV(all P<0.01).Left atrial ejection fraction measured by RT-3DE or LAT,and late diastolic emptying rate were lower in the group IV compared with the group III(all P<0.05).There was no difference in left atrial conduit volume,passive emptying volume,and early diastolic left atrial emptying rate between the group II and group I(all P>0.05).There was a positive correlation between RT-3DE and LAT in evaluating left atrial function.Conclusions Left atrial booster pump function decreases in the eccentric hypertrophy pattern.Left atrial conduit function is unchanged in the normal pattern and the concentric remodelling pattern groups.RT-3DE and LAT technology can be used for quantitative evaluation of left atrial volume and function.

EFFECTIVE INVERSION OF LEFT HEART REMODELING BY PHENYLALANINE IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective The aim is to ascertain whether phenylalanine (Phe) can inverse the left heart"remodeling" in patients with essential hypertension. Methods The changes of echocardiographic variables werecompared aler 3,6 and 9 months of observation between the Phe intervention group (Phe 1g/d+amiloride complex1 tablet/d, 20 cases) and control group (placebo 1g/d+amiloride complex 1 tablet/d, 20 cases) with eitherinterventricular septum and (or) post- wall thickness≥12mm, and were carried on further to compare incross- over trial. Results (1) Phe improved elfectively the left heart and systolic dyslunction; while theimprovement, also shown in control group due to the concurrent use of diuretic antihypertensive drug-amiloridecomplex, was much less evident than that in Phe group. (2) The disturbed left heart structure and systolic functionwere improved prominently while placebo was crossed over to Phe, and the improvement decreased afer Phe wascrrossed over to placebo. (3) The changes almost attained to its peak level after 6 months and not improved furtherat 9 months. (4) The differences seen between above 2 groops could not be eoplained by their diverse drops of bloodpressure. Conclusion Phe does exert an indopendent inverse effect on cardiac "remodeling", which mightimplicate an important clinical oplication upon the prevention and control of essential hypertension and itscomplications.

Association of the Apolipoprotein B Gene Polymorphisms With Essential Hypertension in Northern Chinese Han Population

Objective To study the association of the apolipoprotein B gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in Northern Chinese Han population. Methods XbaI and EcoRI polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 503 unrelated hypertensive patients and 490 healthy controls recruited from international collaborative study of cardiovascular disease in Asia (InterAsia). Results The difference in the genotypic distributions could be neglected across the groups. The prevalence of X+ allele in healthy controls (4.8%) was less frequent in Chinese, and there was no significant difference in the frequency of the X+ allele between cases (5.7%) and controls (P=0.38). The observed E- allele frequencies were closely similar among groups (5.9% in cases vs 5.0% in controls, P=0.39). Logitstic regression analyses revealed that the lack of association still persisted after adjustment of other environmental factors. Haplotype analysis showed that X-E+ was most frequent and no haplotype could significantly contribute to essential hypertension. Conclusion The APOB gene XbaI and EcoRI polymorphisms are not associated with essential hypertension in the Northern Chinese Han population. Future studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms in larger samples are needed to further investigate the possible contribution of the APOB gene to essential hypertension.

Determinants of Blood Pressure Variability in Individuals with Essential Hypertension: A Survey-Based Study

Background: Blood pressure variability (BPV) in hypertensive patients is implicated as a remarkable feature leading to additional cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study was to identify the determinants influencing BPV among patients with essential hypertension seen at the Cardiology department of the faculty of medicine, University of Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from August 2019 to November 2019. All the eligible patients were made to fill out a standard questionnaire to obtain family and personal clinical history and undergo routine physical examination, laboratory tests and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. BPV was summarized as the standard deviation (SD) of all-day systolic and diastolic BP in both normal patients (with SD 11) and abnormal patients (with SD ≥ 11). Results: Out of a total of 114 patients, 18 (15.8%) non-hypertensive patients were included in the control group and the remaining 96 (84.3%) were classified based on the degree of hypertension. BPV in all these patients was found to be significantly related to the male gender, a mild or moderate degree of hypertension, high prevalence of non-dipping, diabetes, use of beta-blockers as antihypertensive medication, heart rate variability, BMI, and increased day-time variability. Conclusion: Variability in blood pressure influenced by different intrinsic and extrinsic factors plays an important role in the management of hypertension. In order to reduce the burden of disease and for a better quality of life for hypertensive patients, it is important that physicians start considering lowering BPV in addition to reducing physiological BP levels.

AN ASSOCIATION STUDY BETWEEN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION AND HLA-DRB1 ALLELES

ＡＮＡＳＳＯＣＩＡＴＩＯＮＳＴＵＤＹＢＥＴＷＥＥＮＥＳＳＥＮＴＩＡＬＨＹＰＥＲＴＥＮＳＩＯＮＡＮＤＨＬＡ－ＤＲＢ１ＡＬＬＥＬＥＳＴａｏＺｈｅｎｙｉｎ（陶贞寅）；ＺｈａｏＹａｎ（赵岩）；ＺｈｕＸｉｌｉｎ（朱席林）；ＺｈｕＫｅ（朱克）；ＹｕＧｕｏｐｉｎｇ...

Study on the Effect of Simvastatin on Left Ventricular Mass and Endothelial Function and the Relationship between Their Changes in the Patients with Essential Hypertension

To study the effect of Simvastatin on the left ventricular mass and endothelial function and to investigate the relationship between their changes in the patients with essential hypertension(EH). Methods:50 patients with hypertension without severe complication were divided into two groups in a randmnized, controlled and single blind trial. Group I (n=25) were given Simvastatin and hydragogue for 12 weeks while Group Ⅱ were given hydragogue during the same time. We detected the left ventricttlar nmss and the brachial artery dilatation induced by reactive hyperemia(DIRH)or nitroglycerin(DING) respectively with ultrasonography in all patients before and after treatmerit.25 normal subjects without any treatment were taken as the control. Resu/ts: The left ventricular ~ index(LVMI)was higher in the two groups of patients[ (133.61 ~ 31.02)g/m2 ; ( 118.04±39.62)g/m^2 ] than that in the control (88.79±22.73)g/m^2 before treatment(P <0.01,0.000 1, respectively)while the blood pressure was higher.The DIRH was lower in the two groups of patients(5.93±2.24)% ; (6.54±3.16)%than that in the conuml(13.09±2.99)%, P<0.000 1. There was no significantly differences in age, sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, tri_glyceride, sugar, blood pressure or the DING between two groups of patients and the control(P>0.05) .And there was no significant difference in the all variables between group I and group Ⅱ before treatment.After treatment the LVMI decreased[ (133.61±31.02)g/m^2 VS(91.07±16.01)g/m^2, P<0.01and the DTRH increased[ (5.93±2.24) % VS(13.53±2.38)%, P<0.01] in the patients of group I while there was no significant change in LVMI and DIRH in the patients of group |. The blood pressure in the two groups of patients was decreased to the normal. Comimred with group Ⅱ, the changes of LVMI and DIRH was higher in patients of group Ⅰ though the sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride or sugar were not significantly diffexent. No significant change in sermn concentrations oftotal cholesterol, tri_glyceride or sugar was found during treatment in the two groups of patients. Analysis showed that the LVMI correlated with DIRH and the clmnge of LVMI correlated better with the change of DIRH (r=-0.56;0.69,P<0.0001,respectly). Conchusions: The in crease of left ventricular mass was related with endothelial dysftmction in essential hypertension. Being independent of the changes of sermn concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride or sugar and blood pressure, Sinvastatin could inhibit the increase of left ventricular mass and improve endothelial function.

Association of Connexin Gene Polymorphism with Essential Hypertension in Kazak and Han Chinese in Xinjiang,China

Essential hypertension(EH) is affected by both genetic and environmental factors.The polymorphism of connexin(Cx) genes is found associated with the development of hypertension.However,the association of the polymorphism of Cxs with EH has not been investigated.This study aimed to investigate the association of the polymorphism of connexin(Cx) genes Cx37,Cx40,and Cx43 with EH in Kazak and Han Chinese in Xinjiang,China.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) method and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS) were used to analyze the polymorphism of Cx genes in Kazak and Han EH patients as well as their normotensive controls.The results showed that there were no significant differences in the frequencies of different three genotypes(A/A,A/G,and G/G) and A and G alleles of Cx40 rs35594137 and rs11552588 between EH patients and normotensive controls.However,in Kazak EH patients,the frequencies of three genotypes(A/A,A/G,and G/G) of Cx37 rs1630310 were 24.8%,47.2% and 28.0%,respectively,which were significantly different from those in Han EH patients.In Han EH patients,the frequencies of the three genotypes(C/C,C/G and G/G) of Cx43 rs1925223 were 6.4%,35.6% and 58.0%,respectively.Frequencies of the other four genotypes had no statistical differences among Kazak and Han EH patients and their normotensive controls.These results suggest polymorphisms of Cx37 rs1630310 and Cx43 rs1925223 genes may be associated with the pathogenesis of EH.Carrying Cx37 rs1630310-A or Cx43 rs1925223-G genotypes may protect against the development of EH.