BACKGROUNDT8590C polymorphism of CYP4A11 has been associated with hypertension, though with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to quantitatively summarize the evidence for CYP4A11 T8590C polymorphism and hypertension risk.

METHODSElectronic search of PubMed and the Chinese Biomedicine database was conducted to select studies. Case-control studies containing available genotype frequencies of T8590C were chosen, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of this association.

RESULTSSeven case-control studies, including 3 295 cases and 3 192 controls, were identified. The meta-analysis, stratified by ethnicity, showed that individuals with the C allele carriers (CC+CT) had increased risk of hypertension in over all (OR = 1.184, 95% CI: 1.063-1.319, P = 0.002) and in others (OR = 1.217, 95% CI: 1.045-1.419, P = 0.012). The results among Asians did not suggest an association (OR = 1.152, 95% CI: 0.990-1.342, P = 0.068). A symmetric funnel plot, the Egger's test (P = 0.863), and the Begg test (P = 0.393) were all suggestive of the lack of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONSThis meta-analysis suggests the CYP4A11 T8590C polymorphism may be a risk factor for hypertension. Future well-designed large studies might be necessary to validate this association in different populations incorporated with environmental factors in the susceptibility of hypertension.