Background: Several reports suggested association between the T allele of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (eNOS) Glu298Asp (G --> T at nucleotide 894, exon 7) with essential hypertension (EHT). Findings, however are not uniform. In this case-control study, we determined the prevalence and distribution of the above polymorphism and their relationship with the disease to elucidate the association of this polymorphism with the risk and pathophysiology of EHT in the Asian Indians and significance of T allele in this context.
Methods: Two hundred normal controls and 226 patients with EHT from Delhi and surrounding areas were recruited for the investigation. Venous blood samples were used for genotyping. Genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP.
Results: The data suggested higher prevalence of GT+TT genotypes in patients as compared to the controls and association of T allele with EHT [p<0.001, odds ratio at 95% CI, 2.10 (1.34-3.28)].
Conclusions: Asian Indians of this region with T allele may be at higher risk of EHT.