BACKGROUNDHypertension often persists after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA). Many studies have analyzed the outcomes of adrenalectomy for aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) to identify predictive factors for persistent hypertension. However, differentially expressed genes in persistent postoperative hypertension remain unknown. Our aim was to describe gene expression profile of persistent postoperative hypertension patients with APA.

METHODSIn this study, we described and compared gene expression profiles in persistent postoperative hypertension and postoperative normotension in Chinese patients with APA using microarray analysis. Confirmation was performed with quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Bioinformatic analysis (gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis and network analysis) was used for further research.

RESULTSMicroarray analysis identified a total of 99 differentially expressed genes, including 18 up-regulated and 81 down-regulated genes. Among the dysregulated genes were fat atypical cadherin 1 as well as fatty acid binding protein 4 and other genes that have not been previously studied in persistent postoperative hypertension with APA. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were associated with lipid metabolic process, metal ion binding, and cell differentiation. Pathway analysis determined that five pathways corresponded to the dysregulated transcripts. The mRNAs-ncRNAs co-expression network was composed of 49 network nodes and 72 connections between 18 coding genes and 31 noncoding genes.

CONCLUSIONSThis study revealed differentially expressed genes in persistent postoperative hypertension with APA and provided a resource of candidate genes for exploration of possible drug targets and prognostic markers.