The role of genetic polymorphisms in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and beta2-adrenergic receptors with risk of hypertension in a sample of Lebanese people

OBJECTIVE: To determine the allelic frequencies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and beta2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) genetic polymorphisms in a sample of Lebanese participants, and to test their association with an increase in the risk of hypertension.

METHODS: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase and ADRB2 genetic polymorphisms were studied in a case-control study that involved a sample of Lebanese participants (58.8% hypertensive and 41.2% controls), recruited at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon between March 2008 and August 2009.

RESULTS: The results did not show any significant difference in the minor allele frequencies of aspartic acid (Asp) allele in eNOS gene and arginine (Arg) allele in the ADRB2 gene between the 2 participating groups. However, we found that participants older than 67 years who carried a combination of eNOS (Asp/Asp) genotype and ADRB2 glycine (Gly) allele were at a higher risk of having hypertension (p=0.029).

CONCLUSION: Our findings offer an opportunity for prediction of hypertension in elderly Lebanese individuals that carry a genetic combination of Asp/Asp genotype and Gly allele in eNOS and ADRB2 genes. If confirmed, these results may be utilized in early prevention and treatment of hypertension in this group of the Lebanese population.