Introduction: Renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis (RAS) accounts for 3-5% of all cases of hypertension.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the association between SNP rs198389 (T-381 C) polymorphism in the B-type natriuretic peptide promoter (BNP) gene and the degree of RAS in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension.
Patients and methods: Thirty-six patients scheduled for invasive diagnostic evaluation of atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension were enrolled in the study. Arteriography was performed through a femoral artery access. In order to identify SNP rs198389 (T-381 C) polymorphism in the BNP gene genotyping was performed using genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. Amplified by polymerase chain reaction and purified product was used to minisequencing. Capillary electrophoresis was applied to separate and detect minisequencing products. The analysis enabled to discriminate TC heterozygotes, TT homozygotes, and CC homozygotes at position 381 of the BNP gene promoter.
Results: Patients homozygous for C allele occurred more frequently in patients with high-grade RAS in comparison with the moderate and mild stenosis groups. TT homozygotes were observed more frequently in mild stenosis patients compared to the moderate and high-grade stenosis groups. None of the patients who had mild RAS was homozygous for C allele and none of the patients who had severe RAS was homozygous for T allele.
Conclusions: We demonstrated the association between SNP rs198389 (T-381 C) polymorphism in the BNP gene promoter and the degree of RAS in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension. It appears that subjects homozygous for C allele at position 381 of the BNP precursor gene promoter are more prone to develop atherosclerotic lesions in renal arteries.