Analysis of the gene polymorphism of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of mortality of mothers, fetuses and newborns around the world. The etiology of preeclampsia has not yet been clarified, but many studies indicate a multifactorial basis of PE. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is responsible for synthesis of aldosterone responsible for regulating blood pressure. Similarly, natriuretic peptide (ANP) regulates blood pressure through a variety of mechanisms affecting the sodium concentration and the amount of extracellular fluid. Currently, attention is paid to the role of the polymorphisms in the expression level of these genes. The aim of the study was to determine the frequencies of genotypes and alleles for polymorphisms of -344C>T CYP11B2 gene and 2238T>C ANP gene in women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women from the Caucasian population.

STUDY DESIGN: The study included a group of 165 pregnant women (59 women with preeclampsia and 109 healthy pregnant women). DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Determination of the polymorphism of -344C>T CYP11B2 gene and 2238T>C ANP gene was performed by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS: The results showed that the frequencies of the TC and CC genotypes of 2238T>C polymorphism in ANP gene were significantly higher in patients with PE compared to control group. For -344C>T polymorphism of CYP11B2 gene, the frequency of TT genotype was significantly higher in patients with hypertension than in controls (32.2% vs. 23.58%).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that gene polymorphism of CYP11B2 (-344C>T) and ANP (2238T>C) may be associated with developing PE during pregnancy.