The G501C Polymorphism of Oxidized LDL Receptor Gene [OLR-1] is Associated with Susceptibility and Serum C-reactive Protein Concentration in Chinese Essential Hypertensives

Background: Oxidized LDL receptor gene 1 (OLR-1) polymorphism is reportedly associated with several cardiovascular conditions. However, its relationship with essential hypertension remains unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the association of OLR-1 polymorphism at position 501 in the open reading frame (G501C), with the susceptibility of essential hypertension.

Methods: 2-hundred eighty Chinese essential hypertensive and 284 control subjects were enrolled and genetic study was performed. The clinical data, i.e., sex, age, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking history, lipid profile and serum C-reactive protein concentration in both hypertensives and controls were obtained.

Results: A significant difference in OLR-1 genotype distributions was noted between the hypertensives and the controls (GG: 67.9% vs. 70.8%; GC: 20.0% vs. 23.6%; CC: 12.1% vs. 5.6%, P=0.021). For G and C allele frequencies, the difference between these 2 groups was significant as well (G: 67.5% vs. 23.5%, C: 82.6% vs. 17.4%, P=0.011). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the CC genotype is an independent risk factor for hypertension (OR=3.036, 95% CI: 1.572-6.174, P=0.016). Furthermore, when the serum C-reactive protein concentration in the hypertensive group was studied according to OLR-1 genotypes, the serum CRP concentration in CC homozygous carriers were found significantly higher than that in GC and GG carriers (1.53+/-0.32, 1.31+/-0.32 and 2.94+/-1.29 respectively, P=0.002).

Conclusions: The CC genotype of OLR-1 G501C polymorphism is associated with susceptibility and serum C-reactive protein concentration in Chinese essential hypertensive population.