Background: The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene meet the criteria for candidate genes in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between polymorphisms of these genes and essential hypertension in a Polish population, to evaluate them as possible genetic markers of susceptibility to hypertension, and to search for interaction between the two polymorphisms.
Material and methods: The insertion/deletion polymorphism at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene locus and the A1166C polymorphism at the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene locus were detected using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length methods. 250 patients with stable essential hypertension lasting at least 1 year were compared to 150 individuals without signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease or family history of hypertension.
Results: No association was found between the insertion/deletion polymorphism at the angiotensin-converting enzyme locus and essential hypertension in the study population, although the DD genotype occurred more often (p

Keywords: essential hypertension, genetic polymorphism, ngiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II receptor type 1