Evaluation of the association of the Renalase rs10887800 polymorphism with the risk of preeclampsia in Brazilian women

Despite advances in obstetric medicine, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) remains poorly understood. It has been suggested that PE results from a state of sympathetic hyperactivity with circulating catecholamines increased in this condition. A new enzyme, called Renalase, has recently been identified exhibiting activity on the metabolism of catecholamine and blood pressure reduction when administered in vivo. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the possible association between the presence of the Renalase gene (RNLS) (rs10887800) polymorphism and mechanisms that control the pathogenesis of PE. This was a cross-sectional, quantitative, case-control study with 94 pregnant women with PE (cases) and 97 normotensive pregnant women (controls). A standardized form was used to collect demographic and clinical data; oral scraping samples were collected, and DNA extraction and subsequent real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to evaluate the presence of rs10887800. In terms of genotypic distribution and frequency of alleles, no significant association was observed between the rs10887800 polymorphism and development of PE, or with its severe form. However, the GG genotype was associated with a trend of higher risk of PE (GG vs. AG + AA: OR = 2.16, 0.97-4.86, p = 0.05). Hence, the rs10887800 polymorphism could not be determined as a predisposing factor for PE susceptibility or severity in the studied population.