Population Differences in Associations of Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5HTTLPR) Di- and Triallelic Genotypes with Blood Pressure and Hypertension Prevalence

Citation

Williams, Redford B.; Bishop, George D.; Haberstick, Brett C.; Smolen, Andrew; Brummett, Beverly H.; Siegler, Ilene C.; Babyak, Michael A.; Zhang, Xiaodong; Tai, E. Shyong; & Lee, Jeannette, et al. (2017). Population Differences in Associations of Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5HTTLPR) Di- and Triallelic Genotypes with Blood Pressure and Hypertension Prevalence. American Heart Journal, 185, 110-122. PMCID: PMC5473420

Abstract

Based on prior research finding the 5HTTLPR L allele associated with increased cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stressors and increased risk of myocardial infarction, we hypothesized that the 5HTTLPR L allele will be associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and increased hypertension prevalence in 2 large nationally representative samples in the United States and Singapore. METHODS: Logistic regression and linear models tested associations between triallelic (L'S', based on rs25531) 5HTTLPR genotypes and hypertension severity and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) collected during the Wave IV survey of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health, N=11,815) in 2008-09 and during 2004-07 in 4196 Singaporeans. RESULTS: In US Whites, L' allele carriers had higher SBP (0.9 mm Hg, 95% CI=0.26-1.56) and greater odds (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.10-1.38) of more severe hypertension than those with S'S' genotypes. In African Americans, L' carriers had lower mean SBP (-1.27mm Hg, 95% CI=-2.53 to -0.01) and lower odds (OR = 0.78, 95% CI=0.65-0.94) of more severe hypertension than those with the S'S' genotype. In African Americans, those with L'L' genotypes had lower DBP (-1.13mm Hg, 95% CI=-2.09 to -0.16) than S' carriers. In Native Americans, L' carriers had lower SBP (-6.05mm Hg, 95% CI=-9.59 to -2.51) and lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.34, 95% CI=0.13-0.89) than those with the S'S' genotype. In Asian/Pacific Islanders those carrying the L' allele had lower DBP (-1.77mm Hg, 95% CI=-3.16 to -0.38) and lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.68, 95% CI=0.48-0.96) than those with S'S'. In the Singapore sample S' carriers had higher SBP (3.02mm Hg, 95% CI=0.54-5.51) and DBP (1.90mm Hg, 95% CI=0.49-3.31) than those with the L'L' genotype. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Whites carrying the L' allele, African Americans and Native Americans with the S'S' genotype, and Asians carrying the S' allele will be found to be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and may benefit from preventive measures.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2016.12.013

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2017

Journal Title

American Heart Journal

Author(s)

Williams, Redford B.
Bishop, George D.
Haberstick, Brett C.
Smolen, Andrew
Brummett, Beverly H.
Siegler, Ilene C.
Babyak, Michael A.
Zhang, Xiaodong
Tai, E. Shyong
Lee, Jeannette
Tan, Maudrene
Teo, Yik Ying
Cai, Shiwei
Chan, Edmund
Halpern, Carolyn Tucker
Whitsel, Eric A.
Bauldry, Shawn
Harris, Kathleen Mullan

PMCID

PMC5473420

ORCiD

Harris, KM - 0000-0001-9757-1026