Renal function in relation to three candidate genes in a Chinese population

We recently found in a white population that the genes encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, I/D polymorphism), α-adducin (Gly460Trp), and aldosterone synthase (-344C/T) jointly influence renal function. We therefore investigated in a Chinese population the associations between the serum concentrations of creatinine and uric acid and these three genetic polymorphisms. We genotyped 471 ethnic Han Chinese subjects from 125 nuclear families recruited in northern China via random population sampling (75%) and at specialized hypertension clinics (25%). We performed population-based and family-based association analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT), respectively, while controlling for covariables. The participants were 39.7 years old and included 235 women (49.9%). The blood pressure measured at the subjects' homes averaged 126/80 mmHg. Mean values were 71 μmol/l for serum creatinine, 111 ml min^-1 1.73 m^-2 for calculated α-adducin Gly allele serum uric acid was significantly and positively associated with the transmission of the ACE D allele (β=20.7 μmol/l). In conclusion, the present study extends our previous findings on the combined effects of the three candidate genes and supports the concept that these genetic polymorphisms jointly influence renal function.