GNB3 C825T and ACE I/D Polymorphisms on the Sodium–Proton Exchanger and the Prevalence of Essential Hypertension in Males

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis if the interaction between the G protein β3 subunit (GNB3) C825T polymorphism and ACE I/D polymorphism could lead to the disclosure of increased activity of sodium–proton exchanger and hypertension.MethodsThe study included 44 male patients, median age: 40 years. Patients were divided into two groups: 26 patients with essential hypertension (EH), and 18 subjects in the normotensive group (C).ResultsCT + TT genotypes of GNB3 predominated in patients with hypertension (65%) compared to normotensive patients (12%) (p <0.01). No significant differences were observed in the frequency of ACE gene polymorphisms between the examined groups. Significantly higher activity of erythrocyte NHE in patients with EH was observed: median 8.83 (interquartile range 4.27) mmol/l RBC/h, compared to C: median 6.18 (2.80) mmol/l RBC/h, p <0.001. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of the T allele increased the risk of hypertension 16-fold (p <0.01) and higher erythrocyte NHE activity 2-fold per each unit of activity (p <0.01). DD genotype of ACE polymorphism did not increase the risk of hypertension. No significant interaction of the influence of GNB3 T allele and ACE DD genotype on the risk of hypertension was observed. In multiple linear regression analysis, none of the examined genotypes and their interactions influenced NHE activity.ConclusionsThe presence of the T allele of GNB3 polymorphism and increased activity of erythrocyte NHE independently of ACE genotype increase the risk of hypertension.