Angiotensinogen M235T Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease Complication among Patients with Hypertension in the Ethiopian Population

Abstract

Background: The relationship between angiotensinogen gene variations and other risk factors in ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains unclear, largely due to the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the association of high cholesterol levels, and the angiotensinogen M235T (rs699) gene variant with ischemic heart disease in hypertensive patients. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with 70 hypertensive patients diagnosed with IHD and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and blood samples were taken for biochemical and genetic testing. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to determine the angiotensinogen M235T genotypes. Results: The AGT-TT genotype (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.30-6.63; P < 0.05) and T allele (OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.51-4.14; P < 0.001) were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. Furthermore, dyslipidemia was more prevalent in the patient group compared to the controls (OR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.71-12.18; P = 0.0024). Conclusion: The AGT M235T TT genotype and T allele are associated with ischemic heart disease in hypertensive patients, which may suggest as a potential biomarker for early detection and prevention. Dyslipidemia was higher in ischemic heart disease patients with hypertension.