Objective: To evaluate the relationship of six single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and their haplotypes of angiotensinogen(AGT) gene to essential hypertension(EH) in Chinese Han population.
Methods: The genotypes in 185 patients with EH and 185 healthy controls were determined by the method of ABI PRISM SNaPshot Multiplex Kit using six AGT gene polymorphisms at position -217(G/A), -152(G/A), -20(A/C) and -6(G/A) in the promoter region and T174M, M235T in exon 2.
Results: The distribution of AGT genotypes and alleles frequencies showed no significant difference between the group of EH and group of controls (P>0.05). However, haplotype analysis revealed that H4 haplotype frequency, which included -152A, -20C, -6A and 235T alleles, was significantly increased in the group of EH (P<0.05).
Conclusion: G-152A, A-20C, G-6A and M235T polymorphisms of AGT gene might play an important role in the occurrence of EH in Chinese Han population.