Objective: To investigate the role of the apolipoprotein(a) [Apo(a)] gene in predicting essential hypertension in the Korean population, we undertook a case-control study using the TTTTA repeat and the Met/Thr polymorphisms of the Apo(a) gene.
Methods: The study subjects consisted of 74 essential hypertensives and 211 normotensive individuals. For polymorphism analysis, DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the case of the Met/Thr polymorphism, amplified PCR products were digested with the restriction enzyme Kspl. Genotyping was performed by a 10% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel.
Results: There were no significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of these polymorphisms between normotensive and essential hypertensive subjects (p > 0.05). Furthermore, levels of lipoprotein(a) in the plasma were not significantly associated with the different genotypes of the APO(a) gene in either group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The polymorphisms of these two loci on the Apo(a) gene are unlikely to contribute to the etiology of essential hypertension in the Korean population.