Association of a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene polymorphism with blood pressure in Japanese women

Genetic variants of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) have been associated with the serum concentration of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, predisposition to coronary heart disease, or longevity. The relation of a -493G↷T polymorphism in the promoter of MTP to blood pressure was examined in a population-based study. The subjects (1124 men, 1108 women) were aged 40-79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases in Japan. Blood pressure was measured at least twice with subjects in the sitting position. The serum lipid profile was determined after the subjects had fasted overnight. The -493G↷T genotype of MTP was determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. There was no difference in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, or triglycerides among MTP genotypes for men or for women. Systolic or diastolic blood pressure was not related to the -493G↷T polymorphism in men. For women, however, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly related to MTP genotype, with the T allele of the polymorphism being associated with low blood pressure. The relation between MTP genotype and the prevalence of hypertension was almost significant (P=0.055) for all women. Although MTP genotype was not associated with the prevalence of hypertension in premenopausal women, the relation between these parameters was significant (P=0.040) in postmenopausal women, with the TT genotype protecting against this condition. These results suggest that MTP genotype is a determinant of blood pressure in Japanese women.