Maternal/newborn genotype contribution of the renin–angiotensin system (Met235Thr, Thr174Met, I/D-ACE, A2350G-ACE, A1166C-AT2R1, C3123A- AT2R2, 83 A/G-REN) to the risk of pre-eclampsia: a Romanian study

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the association of the mutated genotypes Met235Thr-AGT, Thr174Met-AGT, I/D-ACE, A2350G-ACE, A1166C-AT2R1, C3123A-AT2R2, (83)A/G-REN with the risk and outcome of pre-eclampsia; we also investigated whether genes in newborns increase maternal risk of pre-eclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six pairs of pre-eclamptic women and their newborns were genotyped, along with 71 pairs of controls (mothers/newborns) using PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: The Thr235/Thr235 (OR 3.44, p = 0.01), DD (OR 2.66, p = 0.039), CC1166 (OR 5.56, p = 0.04), AA3123 (OR 3.77, p = 0.03) and GG(83) (OR 8.32, p = 0.006) genotypes are significantly associated with pre-eclampsia. Women with pre-eclampsia positive for Met235Thr (34.64 ± 3.92 weeks vs. 38 ± 2 weeks), Thr174Met (32.58 ± 3.92 weeks vs. 36.38 ± 3.25 weeks), I/D (34.47 ± 3.67 weeks vs. 38.33 ± 3.5 weeks) delivered at a significant lower gestational age compared with pre-eclamptic women with a normal genotype. Newborns from women with pre-eclampsia positive for Thr174Met (2190 ± 820.21 g vs. 2702.08 ± 967.23 g), I/D (2399.33 ± 938.38 g vs. 3191.66 ± 684.40 g) had a significant lower birth weight compared with newborns from women with normal pregnancies. When both the mother and the newborn were positive for Met235Thr, I/D, A2350G, A1166C or (83)A/G polymorphisms, the risk for pre-eclampsia was significantly increased at 6.67 (p < 0.01), 5 (p < 0.01), 3.33 (p = 0.006), 2.72 (p = 0.04) and 7.8 (p < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study confirm that, in pre-eclampsia, both maternal and newborn genetic variations implicated in blood pressure regulation are important.