Angiotensinogen genotype and blood pressure response in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between angiotensinogen (ANG) genotype and blood pressure response to the dietary patterns of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was also tested.

DESIGN

The DASH trial was a randomized outpatient feeding study comparing the effects on blood pressure (BP) of three dietary patterns: a control diet, similar to typical American intake; a 'fruits and vegetables' diet (F/V) that is rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise resembles the control diet; and the DASH diet that is reduced in fats and that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Participants' genotype was also determined.

SETTING

Four clinical sites.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with above-optimal BP or stage 1 hypertension.

INTERVENTION

Participants ate one of the three dietary patterns for 8 weeks. Sodium intake and weight were held constant. In 355 of 459 DASH participants, DNA was extracted from leukocytes and genotyped for the G-6A ANG polymorphism and the D/I ACE polymorphism, by the polymerase chain reaction.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Genotype at ANG and ACE loci; BP after 8 weeks of intervention diet.

RESULTS

There was no association between ACE genotype and BP response. Associations with ANG polymorphism were significant: net systolic and diastolic BP response to the DASH diet was greatest in individuals with the AA genotype (-6.93/-3.68 mmHg) and least in those with the GG genotype (-2.80/0.20 mmHg). A similar relationship existed for the F/V diet.

CONCLUSIONS

ANG genotype is associated with BP response to the DASH diet. The AA genotype confers excess risk of hypertension and is associated with increased responsiveness to diet.