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 (<i>ACE I/D</i>) and of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor gene (<i>AGTR1 A1166C</i>) 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 <i>ACE</i> 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 <i>ACE</i> gene is a genetic predictor of the early and severe PE. The study of the polymorphic loci of the <i>ACE</i> gene makes it possible to use these gene markers for the individual prognosis of development and features of PE course.