Background: The gene-environment interaction in the pathogenesis of hypertension has not been extensively studied in occupational noise.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between noise and hypertension in Egyptian workers, the interaction of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms as modifiers, and the possible relationship between noise hearing impairment and hypertension.
Methods: Study subjects were divided into two groups depending on noise exposure level. The control group (n = 161) was exposed to noise intensity <85 dB and the exposed group (n = 217) was exposed to noise intensity ≧85 dB. A polymerase chain reaction was used to differentiate the various genotypes of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) and ACE G2350A.
Results: Noise significantly increased the likelihood of hypertension. Carriers of the genotypes AG, GG, and DD were vulnerable to hypertension on noise exposure. No association between hypertension and hearing impairment or noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was found.
Conclusion: Our results support the association between ACE gene polymorphisms and occurrence of hypertension in noise-exposed workers.
Keywords: ACE G2350A gene,; ACE I/D gene,; Gene polymorphism occupational noise,; Genetic susceptibility,; Hypertension.