Bradykinin B2 receptor gene (-58T/C) polymorphism influences baroreflex sensitivity in never-treated hypertensive patients

Background Most evidence currently favours a fundamental role of the autonomic nervous system in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Recent studies suggest that about 40% of baroreflex variation, an index of cardiac autonomic control, is influenced by genetic factors. Methods and results The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a common polymorphic variant of the bradykinin 132 receptor gene (B2R; -58T/C) on the autonomic regulation of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in 129 mild-moderate never-treated hypertensive patients. No significant differences were found for clinical and biochemical parameters among genotypes. BRS increased with the number of B2R T alleles. B2R genotype was a strong independent predictor of BRS, accounting for 12% of its variation. We suggest that a decrease in the transcription of the bradykinin B2R gene in the presence of the B2R -58C allele could reduce BRS via the diminished effect of bradykinin. Conclusions B2R genotype can explain part of the BRS variation that is unaccounted for by simple anthropometric variables and common risk factors. (C) 2005 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.