POLYMORPHISM OF THE GENE OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF PREECLAMPSIA
Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe complication developing in 10% of pregnant women and the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The goal of the study was to reveal frequency of polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE I/D) and of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor gene (AGTR1 A1166C) in women whose pregnancy was complicated by severe early and late onset PE. A retrospective case-control study of 55 pregnant women with PE (main group) and 30 patients with uncomplicated pregnancy (control group) was conducted. In the main group, we considered two subgroups - early onset (20 patients) and late onset preeclampsia (36 patients). Polymorphism I/D of the ACE gene is associated with the risk of PE. The presence of the D allele increases the risk of severe PE. In case of DD genotype, the probability of the early PE is 5 times higher than that of the late PE. The obtained data confirm involvement of renin-angiotensin system in the development of PE. We conclude that polymorphism of the ACE gene is a genetic predictor of the early and severe PE. The study of the polymorphic loci of the ACE gene makes it possible to use these gene markers for the individual prognosis of development and features of PE course.