OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and the risk factor for essential hypertension (EH) with concurrent ischemic stroke in southern Chinese population.

METHODSThe G9570A polymorphism in ACE2 gene were detected in 139 patients with EH and stroke using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Detailed clinical and biochemistrical data of the patients, including the pulse pressure, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), intima-media thickness (IMT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid levels, were collected to study the relationship between ACE2 gene and the risk factor of EH and stroke.

RESULTSThe levels of hsCRP (OR=1.022), uric acid (OR=1.224), IMT and pulse pressure was positively correlated to the incidence of EH and stroke. The pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels in male stroke patients carrying A allele was significantly higher than those in patients carrying G allele (P<0.05). In female stroke patients, the pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels were also significantly different with regard to the genotype of ACE2 gene (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with EH and ischemic stroke carrying the A/AA allele of ACE2 gene have higher risks than those carrying other allele, and can be also more vulnerable to stroke recurrence.