Association of –2548 G/A Polymorphism in the Leptin Gene with Preeclampsia/Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives. To investigate −2548 G/A polymorphism of LEP gene, plasma leptin and soluble leptin receptor in preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension. Methods. Sixty-two patients and 63 controls (normal pregnancies) studied in the third trimester. Leptin and soluble leptin receptor measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay and −2548 G/A polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Results. Frequency of the AA genotype was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in patients. The A allele conferred a relative risk of 1.67 for the disease (p < 0.0001). Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension significantly (p < 0.001 to 0.0001) affected leptin and soluble leptin receptor concentrations, free leptin index and leptin normalized to body mass index. Genotype significantly (p < 0.05) influenced only the soluble leptin receptor concentrations. Conclusions. Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension appears to be associated with higher circulating leptin and lower SLR levels, and with the AA genotype of −2548 G/A polymorphism of the leptin gene.

Keywords:

• LEP gene polymorphism
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy induced hypertension
• Leptin
• Soluble leptin receptor

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Director and staff of the Castle Street Hospital for Women and all our study participants for their cooperation. This work was supported by SAREC Grant for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology awarded to EHK and KHT and constitutes part of the PhD studies of BHKRS.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.