Renalase SNP genotyping (rs10887800) and leucocyte telomere length in patients with postpartum hypertension

Background: The pathogenesis of postpartum hypertension (PPHT) remains unclear. This exploratory study investigated the association of the renalase (RNLS) gene rs10887800 polymorphism and leukocyte telomere length (TL) with PPHT.Methods: This pilot case-control study included 35 women with PPHT and 100 normotensive postpartum controls. RNLS rs10887800 genotyping and relative TL measurement by real-time PCR were performed. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for relevant clinical confounders.Results: The G allele and GG genotype were more frequent in women with PPHT. The GG genotype was associated with PPHT in crude analysis (OR = 9.60, 95% CI: 2.78–33.18; p<0.001) and after adjustment (OR = 9.34, 95% CI: 1.96–44.47; p=0.005). GG carriers also had significantly higher peripartum blood pressure. Mean TL was shorter in women with PPHT than in controls (p<0.001), but was not significantly correlated with blood pressure, age, or parity. Both groups deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.conclusion:This pilot study suggests an association between the RNLS rs10887800 GG genotype and PPHT. Shorter TL may reflect underlying metabolic and oxidative stress rather than a PPHT-specific mechanism. The small sample, wide confidence intervals, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium deviations warrant cautious interpretation. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.The pathogenesis of postpartum hypertension (PPHT) is unknown. Polymorphisms in the renalase (RNLS) gene and leukocyte telomere length (TL) have been associated with hypertension, but their contribution to the specific postpartum clinical window is unknown. The present study is the first step in assessment of the potential association of the RNLS rs10887800 SNP and the susceptibility to PPHT. This is an exploratory case-control pilot study of 35 women with PPHT and 100 normotensive controls in their postpartum follow-up. Genotyping of RNLS rs10887800 was performed, and relative TL was measured by real-time PCR. We adjusted for important baseline clinical confounders using multivariable logistic regression. The G allele and the homozygous GG genotype of the rs10887800 polymorphism were significantly more frequent in the PPHT cohort compared to controls. In the crude analysis, GG genotype was associated with an increased risk profile (crude OR = 9.60; 95% CI = 2.78–33.18; p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment for confounders, the association remained significant and independent (adjusted OR = 9.34; 95% CI = 1.96–44.47; p = 0.005). The GG genotype was also associated with significantly higher peripartum blood pressure readings. Mean TL (MTL) was significantly shorter in the PPHT group compared to controls (p < 0.001), but was not linearly correlated with continuous BP values, age, or parity. Both cohorts were out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This exploratory pilot study suggests a highly suggestive, independent association of the RNLS rs10887800 GG genotype with increased susceptibility to PPHT. Reduced MTL in the hypertensive group likely indicates a non-specific combined burden of baseline metabolic and oxidative stress, not a PPHT-specific mechanism. Given the large confidence intervals and limitations in sample size, these initial findings offer a valuable basis for future hypothesis generation, which will require validation in a larger multi-center prospective cohort with thorough haplotype screening.