Objective: To assess the association between polymorphisms of rs3740835(C/A) and rs2604204(A/C) in KCNJ5 gene with the susceptibility to unilateral and bilateral primary aldosteronism (PA).
Methods: A total of 1043 subjects were studied, which included 83 unilateral PA patients,142 bilateral PA patients and 818 essential hypertensive(EH) patients. The polymorphism of KCNJ5 gene at rs3740835(C/A) and rs2604204(A/C) position were analyzed with a TaqMan genotyping technique.
Results: Frequencies of A allele and AA+AC genotype at rs3740835(C/A) in unilateral PA group were significantly higher than EH group (P < 0.05). However, the above frequencies did not show a statistical significance between bilateral PA group and EH group (P > 0.05). No statistical difference was detected in the distribution of alleles or genotypes at rs2604204 (A/C) between unilateral PA and EH group or between bilateral PA and EH group. Haplotypic frequencies of C-A and A-A in unilateral PA group were significantly higher and lower than EH group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference in the haplotype distribution between bilateral PA and EH groups.
Conclusion: Rs3740835(C/A) polymorphism may be associated with unilateral PA but not with bilateral PA. rs2604204(A/C) polymorphism is not associated with either unilateral or bilateral PA. Haplotype C-A and A-A may respectively be susceptibility factor and protective factor for unilateral PA. No haplotype has been found to associate with bilateral PA.