Association of the antihypertensive response of iptakalim with KCNJ11 (Kir6.2 gene) polymorphisms in Chinese Han hypertensive patients.

AIM: To study the relationship between the antihypertensive response of iptakalim and KCNJ11 polymorphisms in Chinese Han hypertensive patients.

METHODS: One hundred sixty two Chinese Han hypertensive patients were administered iptakalim (5 or 10 mg/d, po) for 8 weeks. Before the treatment and 24 h after completing the treatment blood pressure (BP) was measured. Genotyping was performed using direct sequencing.

RESULTS: Four common A190A, E23K, I337V and 3'UTR +62 G/A polymorphisms were found in KCNJ11. The E23K, I337V and 3'UTR +62 G/A polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and I337V was used as a representative. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, sex, baseline systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) among the 3 genotypes for the four polymorphisms. Significant association was found between SBP response and the polymorphisms (adjusted regression coefficient: 3.5 [1.2] mmHg; P=0.003 for the A190A polymorphism; adjusted regression coefficient: 3.1 [1.2] mmHg; P=0.012 for the I337V polymorphism). The patients with TT genotype for A190A polymorphism had higher clinical efficacy than those with CC genotype.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest the KCNJ11 polymorphisms are associated with the SBP-lowering response of short-term iptakalim therapy in Chinese Han hypertensive patients.