Association between the −2518G/A polymorphism in the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene and hypertension in Tunisian patients

Abstract Objectives Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1:CCL2) has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and hypertension. This study was aimed to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at −2518 of the MCP-1 gene promoter region is associated to hypertension in a sample of Tunisian population. Design and methods A total of 290 Tunisian patients with hypertension and 390 normotensive controls were included in the study. The SNP of the MCP-1 gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Results A significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency was observed between patients and controls. Patients with hypertension had a frequency of 7.2% for the GG genotype, 35.2% for the AG genotype and 57.6% for the AA genotype. Normotensive subjects had a frequency of 3.6% for the GG genotype, 29.7% for the AG genotype and 66.7% for the AA genotype ( χ 2  = 8.02, p  = 0.01). The hypertension patient group showed a significant higher frequency of the G allele compared to the controls [0.24 vs. 0.18; OR (95%CI), 1.46 (1.11–1.91), p  = 0.004]. The association between the −2518 G/A polymorphism of MCP-1 gene and hypertension remained significant after adjustment for other well-established cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion The present study showed a significant and independent association between the −2518G/A polymorphism of the MCP-1 gene (presence of G allele) and hypertension in the Tunisian population.