Objective: The Catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contains a common functional polymorphism at locus Val158/108Met. This study was to investigate the association between COMT gene polymorphism and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).
Methods: One hundred and two pregnant women with PIH (PIH group) and 94 normal pregnant women (control group) matched for age and gestation were recruited. Participants were genotyped for COMT at the Val158/108Met locus using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.
Results: The frequencies of COMT HH, HL and LL genotypes were 56.9%, 38.2% and 4.9% in PIH group, respectively. These were 47.9%, 43.6% and 8.5% in normal control group, respectively (P > 0.05). The frequencies of the two alleles H and L were 76.0% and 24.0% in PIH group, and 69.7% and 30.3% in control group, respectively (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The COMT G1947-->A gene polymorphism is not associated with the generation and the severity of PIH. The mutation genotype does not increase the risk of PIH.