The association between transforming growth factor beta3 polymorphisms and left ventricular structure in hypertensive subjects

Abstract

Background: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) may be a crucial regulator of cardiac remodeling. We investigated the association between the TGF-beta gene polymorphisms and left ventricular structure.

Methods: A total of 658 hypertensive subjects were genotyped for the TGF-beta1 T869C and TGF-beta3 (rs3917187 and rs4252338) polymorphisms.

Results: TGF-beta3 rs3917187 AA homozygotes had, while accounting for covariates, greater left ventricular end-systolic (LVESD, P=0.004) and end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD, P=0.007) than G allele carriers. Moreover, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in AA genotype was 123.0+/-3.1g/m(2) significantly higher than that in AG (114.6+/-1.6g/m(2)) and GG (115.4+/-2.1g/m(2), P=0.03) genotypes. In multivariate regression analysis, TGF-beta3 rs3917187 genotype as an independent predictor had statistically significant effects on LVESD (beta=0.164, P=0.002), LVEDD (beta=0.172, P=0.003) and LVMI (beta=0.136, P=0.016), respectively. In further analyses, we observed a significant interaction between the rs3917187 and alcohol intake in relation to LVESD (P(int)=0.04) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFSH, P(int)=0.012). However, no relationship could be found between left ventricular parameters and the T869C or the rs4252338.

Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that the TGF-beta3 rs3917187 polymorphism was associated with left ventricular structure, and had an interactive influence with alcohol on LVESD and LVFSH in hypertensive subjects.