Estrogen receptor alpha XbaI GG genotype was associated with severe preeclampsia

Purpose: Estrogen receptor-alpha (ER) plays an essential role in the adaptation of increased uterine blood flow during gestation. Therefore, ER alpha gene could be a possible candidate for preeclampsia (PE) susceptibility. In current study we aimed to investigate the association of the ER alpha gene polymorphisms and PE in an Iranian population. Methods: A total of 192 pregnant women with PE and 186 normotensive women were genotyped for ER alpha gene (PvuII and XbaI) polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of ER alpha PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were not different between PE and normotensive control women. However, higher frequency of GG genotype was observed in women with severe PE compared to mild PE (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3]; p = 0.02) and in severe PE compared to normotensive women [OR = 1.8 (1.1-3), p = 0.02] after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and primiparity. Conclusions: The GG genotype of ER alpha XbaI polymorphism could be a genetic risk factor for PE predisposition.