Association of genetic variation in the natriuretic peptide system and left ventricular mass and blood pressure in newborns.

Abstract

The natriuretic peptides play a key role in the modulation of left ventricular mass (LVM) and blood pressure (BP). We hypothesised that NPPA (natriuretic peptide precursor A gene), NPPB (natriuretic peptide precursor B gene), and NPPC (natriuretic peptide precursor C gene) are candidate genes possibly involved in the development or modulation of LVM at early life. To assess the relationship between NPPA, NPPB, and NPPC gene polymorphisms with LVM and BP in newborns. A total of 206 healthy newborns were studied by two-dimensional M-mode echocardiography. The polymorphisms NPPA rs5065, NPPB rs198389, and NPPC rs5268 were characterised. Newborns carrying the C allele of the NPPB polymorphism had significantly lower LVM/body surface area (BSA) and LVM/body weight (BW) values when compared with newborns' homozygotes for the T allele (41.76 g/m2 vs. 48.31 g/m2, p adjusted = 0.044 and 2.78 g/kg vs. 3.26 g/kg, p adjusted = 0.031, respectively). An association was observed between NPPA genotype and systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure ≥ 90th percentile (p = 0.029, p = 0.0048, p = 0.004, respectively). Also an association was observed for systolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for NPPB (p = 0.016). The present study shows that the NPPB gene polymorphism is associated with modulation of LVM in newborns. The NPPA and NPPB gene polymorphisms are associated with BP.