TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR B1 GENE POLYMORPHISM AND BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE TO ACUTE EXERCISE IN THE HERITAGE FAMILY STUDY

1900 Several lines of evidence suggest that the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1) gene may play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). The possible role of TGFB1 in the acute response to exercise remains unknown. This study examines the association between a DNA polymorphism in the TGFB1 gene and the acute systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP response to submaximal and maximal cycle ergometer tests. The subjects were 190 sedentary unrelated Caucasians (females=93; males=97; mean age=53 yrs.) participating in the HERITAGE Family Study. The TGFB1 gene polymorphism in exon 1 (Leu10-Pro) was detected by PCR and digestion with the MspA1 I restriction enzyme. Allele and genotype frequencies were not significantly different between genders. Significant (P<0.04) differences in SBP values (at 60% and 80% of VO2max and at VO2max) adjusted for age, body mass index and gender were observed among the TGFB1 genotypes. Leu homozygotes demonstrated a significantly lower SBP (164, 183, and 198 mmHg) than heterozygotes (170, 189, and 206 mmHg) or Pro homozygotes (173, 195 and 211 mmHg). In conclusion, these results indicate a lower SBP response in carriers of the Leu allele (P<0.01) and suggest that the MspA1 I TGFB1 polymorphism is associated with the acute SBP response to submaximal and maximal exercise in the sedentary state.