The relationship between birthweight and longitudinal changes of blood pressure is modulated by beta-adrenergic receptor genes: The bogalusa heart study

Abstract

This study examines the genetic influence of -adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms ( 2 -AR Arg16Gly and 3 -AR Trp64Arg) on the relationship of birthweight to longitudinal changes of blood pressure (BP) from childhood to adulthood in 224 black and 515 white adults, aged 21-47 years, enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Blacks showed significantly lower birthweight and frequencies of 2 -AR Gly16 and 3 -AR Trp64 alleles and higher BP levels and age-related trends than whites. In multivariable regression analyses using race-adjusted BP and birthweight, low birthweight was associated with greater increase in age-related trend of systolic BP (standardized regression coefficient =-0.09, P=.002) and diastolic BP (=-0.07, P=.037) in the combined sample of blacks and whites, adjusting for the first BP measurement in childhood, sex, age, and gestational age. Adjustment for the current body mass index strengthened the birthweight-BP association. Importantly, the strength of the association, measured as regression coefficients, was modulated by the combination of 2 -AR and 3 -AR genotypes for systolic (P=.042 for interaction) and diastolic BP age-related trend (P=.039 for interaction), with blacks and whites showing a similar trend in the interaction. These findings indicate that the intrauterine programming of BP regulation later in life depends on -AR genotypes. Copyright © 2010 Wei Chen et al.