A study of the M235T variant of the angiotensinogen gene and hypertension in a sample population of Calabar and Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract A common molecular variant of the angiotensinogen gene had been reported to predispose

some ethnic groups to hypertension. This case-control study was designed to determine the

frequency and association of the angiotensinogen M235T al1ele with hypertension in residents of

Calabar and Uyo cities, south-south Nigeria.

The study involved 1308 subjects, 612 patients and 696 controls. The M235T variant was investigated

using an allele specific polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic digestion to determine al1ele

frequencies. Hypertensinogenic factors such as dietary habits, physical activity, smoking and drinking

habits were assessed using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and multiple regression

analysis were used to analyze the data obtained.

The M235T al1ele frequency was high (0.94 for hypertensives and 0.96 for controls) though it was

not associated with hypertension status. The odds ratio for hypertension was 0.64 (95% confidence

interval: 0.39-1.06) there were no significant differences between the genotype frequency of hypertensives

and controls. By multiple regression, Hypertension was observed to be associated with age

and was a predictor for systolic blood pressure in both patient ,.2 = 0.359; p < 0.05 and control

groups ,.2 = 0.26.