Vol 86, No 9 (2015)
ARTICLES
DRD1 and DRD4 dopamine receptors in the etiology of preeclampsia
DOI: 10.17772/gp/59240
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(9).
Abstract
Introduction: Recent reports have suggested an association between genetic polymorphisms of dopamine
receptors and the development of an increased risk of chronic hypertension, as well as preeclampsia (PE).
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the -48A>G DRD1 and -521C>T DRD4
polymorphisms in the etiology of PE among Polish women.
Material and methods: Ninety-eight preeclamptic women and 120 healthy pregnant controls were enrolled in the
study. The investigated polymorphisms of the DRD1 and DRD4 genes were identified using PCR/RFLP methods.
Results: As far as the -48A>G DRD1 polymorphism is concerned, the mutated -48GG genotype was more often
found in controls (14.2% ) than in the PE group (10.2%, ns), and the subgroup with severe PE (8.2%). Also, the
frequency of the mutated -48G allele was higher in controls (39.6%) than in the PE group (33.2%, ns), and in the
subgroup with severe PE (31.6%, ns). As for the -521C>T DRD4 polymorphism, a similar occurrence of the mutated
-521TT genotype and the -521T allele in all of the investigate groups was observed. Lower serum concentrations of
total protein (5.59 g/L and 5.57 g/L vs. 6.17 g/L in carriers of the -521CC genotype, p=0.02) were noted in patients
with the mutated homozygous -521TT genotype and heterozygous -521CT genotype of DRD4.
Conclusions: The obtained results suggest a possible protective role of the mutated -48G DRD1 allele in the
etiology of preeclampsia, especially its severe form. The presence of the mutated -521T DRD4 allele could influence
the decrease of total blood protein in preeclamptic patients. The observed frequency of dopamine DRD1 and DRD4
polymorphisms is similar to the distribution of these variants in other Caucasian populations.
Keywords: dopamine receptor DRD1 / dopamine receptor DRD4 / preeclampsia // genetic polymorphism /