Genetic factors of hypertension in individuals with different rates of Na-Li counter -transport

Abstract

Currently, hypertension is recognized as one of the most common cardio-vascular diseases. Recent studies indicate the multifactorial nature of this disease, in which much emphasis is given to genetic factors for their role in the development of this disease. With, results based on the identification of genetic markers associated with the risk of developing hypertension vary vastly and remain highly controversial, primarily due to the ethno-genetic and geographical features of the populations under study, there is an urgent need to identify a phenotypic trait that would allow analysis of associations with the risk of developing hypertension irrespective of an individual's ethnic background or geographical location. One such a prospective trait is the rate of Na-Li counter-transport, which remains unchanged for most of an individual's lifetime, with rare exceptions. Hence this study is aimed at identifying the contribution of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system in the formation of genetic predisposition to hypertension in individuals with different rates of erythrocyte Na-Li counter-transport.