Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) and angiotensinogen (AGT M235T) polymorphisms with the risk of obesity in a Tunisian population

Single nucleotide polymorphism-based biomarker in primary hypertension

Primary hypertension is a multiplex and multifactorial disease influenced by various strong components including genetics. Extensive research such as Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies have revealed various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to hypertension, providing insights into the genetic basis of the condition. This review summarizes the current status of SNP research in primary hypertension, including examples of hypertension-related SNPs, their location, function, and frequency in different populations. The potential clinical implications of SNP research for primary hypertension management are also discussed, including disease risk prediction, personalized medicine, mechanistic understanding, and lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, this review highlights emerging technologies and methodologies that have the potential to revolutionize the vast understanding of the basis of genetics in primary hypertension. Gene editing holds the potential to target and correct any kind of genetic mutations that contribute to the development of hypertension or modify genes involved in blood pressure regulation to prevent or treat the condition. Advances in computational biology and machine learning enable researchers to analyze large datasets and identify complex genetic interactions contributing to hypertension risk. In conclusion, SNP research in primary hypertension is rapidly evolving with emerging technologies and methodologies that have the potential to transform the knowledge about genetic basis related to the condition. These advances hold promise for personalized prevention and treatment strategies tailored to an individual's genetic profile ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Genetic Polymorphism in Angiotensinogen and Its Association with Cardiometabolic Diseases

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is one of the most significant enzymes of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) which is involved in the regulation and maintenance of blood pressure. AGT is involved in the production of angiotensin I which is then converted into angiotensin II that leads to renal homeostasis. However, various genetic polymorphisms in AGT have been discovered in recent times which have shown an association with various diseases. Genetic polymorphism increases the level of circulating AGT in blood which exaggerates the effects produced by AGT. The associated diseases occur due to various effects produced by increased AGT levels. Several cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertrophy, etc. are associated with AGT polymorphism. Other diseases such as depression, obesity, diabetic nephropathy, pre-eclampsia, and liver injury are also associated with some variants of AGT gene. The most common variants of AGT polymorphism are M235T and T174M. The two variants are associated with many diseases. Some other variants such as G-217A, A-6G, A-20C and G-152A, are also present but they are not as significant as that of M235T and T174M variants. These variants increase the level of circulating AGT and are associated with prevalence of different diseases. These diseases occur through various pathological pathways, but the initial reason remains the same, i.e., increased level of AGT in the blood. In this article, we have majorly focused on how genetic polymorphism of different variants of AGT gene is associated with the prevalence of different diseases.

Association of Lipids’ Metabolism with Vitamin D Receptor (rs10735810, rs222857) and Angiotensinogen (rs699) Genes Polymorphism in Essential Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the most spread cause of mortality in the world. Essential arterial hypertension (EAH), as a major risk factor for the development of CV diseases, is a multifactorial disease involving environmental and genetic factors together with risk-conferring behaviors. AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze lipid metabolism changes in patients with EAH depending on the Vitamin D receptor (VDR rs2228570 (aka rs10735810)) and angiotensinogen (AGT rs699) genes polymorphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The single-stage study involved 100 patients suffering from Stage 2 EAH, 1–3 degrees of blood pressure increase, high and very high CV risks, 21% (21) men, and 79% (79) women. The average age of patients was 59.86 ± 6.22 years old. The control group included 60 practically healthy individuals of an appropriate age and sex distribution. To examine the VDR gene (rs10735810, rs2228570) and AGT gene (rs699) polymorphism, a qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was made. The lipid metabolism was studied by determining the blood plasma content of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs). RESULTS: Т allele of AGT gene is associated with reduced HDL-C level in men and increased TGs level in women. The EAH risk increases 4.5 times as much among the ТС-genotype carriers and lowered HDL-C level (odds ratio [OR] = 6.43; p = 0.01). The EAH risk increases as far as the HDL-C level reduction, irrespective of the VDR gene alleles condition 1.83 times (OR = 2.37; OR 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–5.51; p = 0.04) and 1.9 times (OR=2.43; OR 95% CI: 0.99–5.97; p = 0.04). HDL-C reduction and LDL-C elevation in women increase the EAH risk 2.4 times (OR = 3.27; p = 0.01) and 1.24 times (OR = 3.67; p = 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The EAH risk increases with a reduced HDL-C level in the TC genotype carriers of the AGT gene and irrespective of VDR gene polymorphic variants.

Strong Association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 Gene Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism with Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, Hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease and COVID-19 Disease Mortality

BACKGROUND

The ongoing outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 represents a significant challenge to international health. Several reports have highlighted the importance of ACE2 on the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 efficiently binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and facilitates virus entry into the host cell. In the present study, we hypothesize that a functional insertion/deletion polymorphism-rs4646994 I/D and rs4240157 T > C in the ACE gene could be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality.

METHODOLOGY

This study included 117 consecutive COVID-19 patients and 150 age matched healthy controls (ACE2-rs4646994 I/D) and 100 age matched healthy controls with ACE2 rs4240157 T > C. We used Mutation specific PCR (MSP) for ACE2-rs4646994 I/D genotyping and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS-PCR) for ACE2 rs4240157 T > C genotyping.

RESULTS

Results indicated that there were significant differences in the genotype distributions of ACE2-rs4646994 I/D polymorphisms (p < 0.030) and ACE2 rs4240157 T > C between COVID-19 patients and controls (p-values < 0.05). Higher frequency of DD genotype (48.71%) and D allele (0.67) was reported in COVID-19 patients than controls. Our results showed that the ACE2-DD genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 severity (OR 2.37 (95%) CI = (1.19-4.70), RR = 1.39 (1.09-1.77), p < 0.013) and also a strong association was seen with ACE2-ID genotype with COVID-19 severity (OR 2.20 (95%) CI = (1.08-4.46), p < 0.020) in the codominant model. In allelic comparison, the D allele was strongly associated with COVID-19 severity (OR 1.58 (95% CI) (1.11-2.27), RR 1.21 (1.05-1.41) p < 0.010). A significant correlation of ACE2-I/D genotypes was reported with Age (p < 0.035), T2D (p < 0.0013), hypertension (p < 0.0031) and coronary artery disease (p < 0.0001). Our results indicated ACE2-DD genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality (OR 8.25 (95%) CI = (2.40 to 28.34), p < 0.008) and also ACE2-DD + DI genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality with OR 4.74 (95%) CI = (1.5214 to 14.7915), p < 0.007. A significant correlation was reported between COVID-19 patients and age matched controls (p < 0.0007). Higher frequency of heterozygosity TC (40%) followed by ACE2-CC genotype (24.78%) was reported among COVID-19 patients. Using multivariate analysis, ACE2-CT genotype was strong associated with SARS-CoV-2 severity with an OR 2.18 (95% CI) (1.92-3.99), p < 0.010 and also ACE2-CC genotype was linked with COVID-19 severity with an OR 2.66 (95% CI) (1.53-4.62), p < 0.005. A significant correlation of ACE2-T > C genotypes was reported with gender (p < 0.04), T2D (p < 0.035). ACE2-CC genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality OR 3.66 (95%) CI = (1.34 to 9.97), p < 0.011 and also ACE2-C allele was associated with COVID-19 mortality OR 2, 01 (1.1761-3.45), p < 0.010.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that ACE-DD genotype and D allele was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 patient severity. In addition, ACE I/D polymorphism were strongly associated with advanced age, diabetes and ischemic heart disease in COVID-19 patients whereas ACE-II genotype was a protective factor against the development of severe COVID-19. ACE2-DD genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality. Additionally, ACE2-CC and CT genotypes were strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. Therefore, our study might be useful for identifying the susceptible population groups for targeted interventions and for making relevant public health policy decisions.

Relationship between AGT rs2493132 polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease in patients with NAFLD in the Chinese Han population

Objective

To investigate the relationship between angiotensin (AGT) rs2493132 gene polymorphism and the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

Polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine AGT genotypes. Anthropometric and clinical data were investigated and statistically analyzed in the clinical laboratory department of Qingdao Municipal Hospital.

Results

The AGT rs2493132 CT + TT genotype was an important risk factor for CAD in patients with NAFLD and NAFLD + CAD in healthy controls. The AGT rs2493132 T allele increased the risk of NAFLD + CAD in healthy controls. The AGT rs2493132 CT + TT genotype and T allele also significantly increased the risk of CAD in patients with NAFLD after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index. In addition, AGT rs2493132 T allele carriers showed higher total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared with non-carriers.

Conclusions

The AGT rs2493132 CT + TT genotype and T allele significantly increased the risk of developing CAD in patients with NAFLD in the Chinese Han population. The AGT rs2493132 T allele was associated with increased serum TC and LDL levels.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with obesity in the Arab world: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Obesity, one of the most common chronic health conditions worldwide, is a multifactorial disease caused by complex genetic and environmental interactions. Several association studies have revealed a considerable number of candidate loci for obesity; however, the genotype-phenotype correlations remain unclear. To date, no comprehensive systematic review has been conducted to investigate the genetic risk factors for obesity among Arabs.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to systematically review the genetic polymorphisms that are significantly associated with obesity in Arabs.

METHODS

We searched four literature databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from inception until May 2020 to obtain all reported genetic data related to obesity in Arab populations. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed individually by three investigators.

RESULTS

In total, 59 studies comprising a total of 15,488 cases and 9,760 controls were included in the systematic review. A total of 76 variants located within or near 49 genes were reported to be significantly associated with obesity. Among the 76 variants, two were described as unique to Arabs, as they have not been previously reported in other populations, and 19 were reported to be distinctively associated with obesity in Arabs but not in non-Arab populations.

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be a unique genetic and clinical susceptibility profile of obesity in Arab patients.