Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensinogen Gene Polymorphisms with Preeclampsia

We tested the hypothesis that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensinogen gene polymorphism influence the incidence, development and outcome of preeclampsia. Subjects were recruited from 90 Korean patients with preeclampsia during pregnancy and 98 age-matched controls. After isolation of DNA, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were carried out to detect polymorphism of the ACE and angiotensinogen. M235T and T174M genotypes of angiotensinogen were determined by digestion with restriction enzyme endonuclease Tth 111-I and NCo I, respectively. The frequency of DD genotype was significantly greater in preeclampsia (0.36) than in controls (0.14) (p<0.05). The frequency of D allele was 0.55 in preeclampsia and 0.40 in controls (p<0.05). There were no differences in the onset of preeclampsia and pregnancy outcomes according to the ACE genotypes. There was no difference in the frequency of a allele of angiotensinogen M235T between the groups (0.79:0.78 in preeclampsia : controls). The frequency of T allele of angiotensinogen T174M gene was slightly increased, but not significantly, in preeclampsia (0.11) than in controls (0.07). In a multivariate analysis, only ACE genotype was associated with the development of preeclampsia (beta=0.27, p=0.05). In conclusion, a molecular variant of ACE, but not angiotensinogen, gene is associated with preeclampsia in Korean women.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis with Gallbladder Polyps

Familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the appearance in early life of numerous adenomas of colon and rectum. According to the recent studies, familial polypolis is a disease which produces polypoid lesions not only in the large intestine but also in the stomach duodenum, ileum and jejunum. The natural course of extracolonic lesions is variable, but the colonic polyps are associated with high incidence of cancer. The risk of malignant change is virtually 100% if untreated. The authors report a case of FAP in a 36-year-old-female who presented colorectal polyposis with multiple adenomas of the gallbladder. A review of literature with emphasis on the association of adenoma of the gallbladder was made.