BACKGROUND: Renin is the first step of the RAS cascade, which is a major regulator of salt-volume homeostasis. Adrenergic beta receptor kinase 1 (ADRBK1) plays important roles in regulating blood pressure via the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), which plays an important role in Na+ reabsorption in the renal collecting duct. The present case-control study was designed to investigate the potential relationship between polymorphisms of ADRBK1 and plasma renin activity (PRA) in hypertension.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 1831 hypertensive and 422 normotensive Han Chinese subjects. Sitting PRA (ng/mL/h) was measured using radioimmunoassay method. Hypertensive patients were classified into 4 renin categories via PRA quartile. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ADRBK1 gene (rs1894111, rs4930416, rs7127431, rs12286664, and rs3730147) were identified via TaqMan polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Comparison of the hypertensive group and the control group showed significant differences in distribution of genotypes and alleles of rs1894111 (P<0.05). Moreover, distribution of the dominant model (CC vs. CT+TT) in rs1894111 was lower in the hypertensive group than in the control group (P<0.05). Subjects were classified into 4 subgroups based on PRA quartile; the dominant model (CC vs. CT+TT) of rs1894111 was significantly lower in the quartile 1 group (the group with the lowest PRA) than in the control group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the dominant model (CC vs. CT+TT) of rs1894111 was significantly different in the hypertensive group (OR=1.590, 95%CI=1.022–2.474, P<0.05), particularly in the quartile 1 group (OR=1.845, 95%CI=1.119–3.042, P<0.05), but not in the quartile 4 group.

CONCLUSIONS: The dominant model (CC vs. CT+TT) of rs1894111 polymorphism in the ADRBK1 gene might be associated with low-renin hypertension in Han Chinese.

Keywords: Case-Control Studies, Alleles, G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 - genetics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Hypertension - genetics, Logistic Models, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics, Renin - blood