Aim:
The aim of the present study is to evaluate gene expression of a set of 84 genes associated with atherosclerosis, in peripheral blood of subjects with never-treated hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Material and Methods:
Sixteen subjects are included in the study (13 males and 3 females) – 9 subjects with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, of mean age 47,55 ± 12,84 years; and 7 normotensive subjects with type 2 diabetes, of mean age 45,71 ± 13,61 years, as a control group, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference - matched. All participants in the study are without previously diagnosed hypertension and are not taking any antihypertensive drug. Twenty four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Oscar, SunTech Medical Instruments, USA) was used to measure arterial blood pressure. Hypertension is evaluated according to ESH 2007 guidelines. Anthropometric methods include measurement of weight, height and waist circumference.
Gene expression in peripheral blood is evaluated with Human Atherosclerosis RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array. The level of significance of up-/down-regulation is at least 4-fold change in gene expression as compared to the control group. Additionally, we accept as significant only differences that are present in the individual expression profiles of more than 50% of the subjects in the group studied.
Results:
No genes with increased expression matching the criteria are found. Decreased expression is observed in 6 genes - HBEGF, IFNG, KDR, LAMA1, MMP3 and SERPINB2, as compared to the control group.
Conclusion:
The expression of HBEGF, IFNG, KDR, LAMA1, MMP3 and SERPINB2 tends to be decreased in peripheral blood of hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes. These data need to be confirmed by further investigation.
