Association of Aromatase Gene Polymorphism (rs700518) with Essential Hypertension among midlife women

ABSTRACT: Hypertension or high blood pressure affects about 26% of adults around the world. It is a main risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, kidney failure and heart failure or early death from a cardiovascular cause. We investigated a possible association of a polymorphism (A?G; rs700518) in CYP19A1 gene with hypertension among midlife women. A total of 100 midlife women were enrolled randomly, including 50 hypertension patients and 50 healthy controls. In this study, their blood pressure, weight, height, Triglycerides, blood sugar and cholesterol were measured and their body mass index was calculated. PCR-RFLP for rs700518 polymorphism analysis was used. Genotype frequencies of AA, AG and GG, respectively, 42%, 40% and 18% in hypertensive patients, 22%, 48% and 30% in the control group. Allele frequency of A and G, respectively, were 62% and 38% in hypertensive patients and 46% and 54% in the control group. In this study, selected polymorphism was significantly associated with hypertension. Interestingly, women with hypertension were more likely to be homozygous for the A allele (AA) compared to control cases. We concluded that rs700518 polymorphism in CYP19A1 gene is associated with hypertension in midlife women.