GENETIC FACTORS AND SALTCONSUMPTION EFFECTS ON ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN ETHNICALLY HOMOGENOUS (SVANETIAN ) POPULATION OF GEORGIA

Abstract

Up  to  now  the  exact  mechanism  of  salt-sensitivity  andsalt-sensitive hypertension remains unclear.  In recent years,researchers  have  a  special  interest  in  the  genetic  basics  ofthese processes. The overall goal of our study was to deter-mine in Svanetian ethnically homogenous families the salt-sensitivity and genetic factors predisposing to salt-sensitivehypertension. 40 ethnic Svans (essential hypertension stageI  (JNC  VII))    and  their  families,  in  total  120  subjects  (53males and 67 females, aged form 15 to 75 years) were testedfor  salt-sensitivity  using  a  high  salt/low  salt  protocol.Ourresults show that virtually all hypertensives and their familymembers consumed high amount of salt and these data areconsiderably higher than the international rates. Genetic testing revealed a high frequency of  CYP3A5 polymorphismand its significant positive correlation to salt-sensitivity. Allof the above makes possible to identify high risk groups forhypertension  through  identification  of  relevant  genes  andmakes possible implementation of primary prevention andtreatment of hypertension.