ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the relationship of six single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and their haplotypes of angiotensinogen(AGT) gene to essential hypertension(EH) in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotypes in 185 patients with EH and 185 healthy controls were determined by the method of ABI PRISM SNaPshot Multiplex Kit using six AGT gene polymorphisms at position -217(G/A), -152(G/A), -20(A/C) and -6(G/A) in the promoter region and T174M, M235T in exon 2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distribution of AGT genotypes and alleles frequencies showed no significant difference between the group of EH and group of controls (P>0.05). However, haplotype analysis revealed that H4 haplotype frequency, which included -152A, -20C, -6A and 235T alleles, was significantly increased in the group of EH (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>G-152A, A-20C, G-6A and M235T polymorphisms of AGT gene might play an important role in the occurrence of EH in Chinese Han population.</p>