American journal of hypertension
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The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contains a functional polymorphism, Val158Met. A few studies on animals have shown a relationship between the COMT gene and BP, but whether this exists in human beings is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between codon 158 COMT gene polymorphism and BP in a population-based cohort. ⋯ Based on the study findings, the Val/Val genotype appears to be associated with a higher prevalence of increased systolic BP compared with the Met/Met or Met/Val genotypes at the COMTgene.