Objective: The present study aims to investigate the correlation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression and protein expression in patients with essential hypertension in whole blood.
Methods: ACE gene expression was analyzed by Real Time PCR and western blot in 52 patients with essential hypertension and 42 healthy controls.
Results: We observed a significant increase in Delta threshold cycle (ΔCT) values in the circulating ACE gene and ACE protein expression in patients as compared to controls.
Conclusions: The up-regulation in relative expression of circulating Angiotensin converting enzyme mRNA and protein in patients with respect to controls might be correlated with high blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
Keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; blood pressure; essential hypertension; gene expression; renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.