Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha G308α Gene Polymorphism and Essential Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis Involving 2244 Participants

Background: The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) G308A gene polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to essential hypertension (EH), but study results are still controversial. Objective and Methods: The present meta-analysis is performed to investigate the relationship between the TNF alpha G308A gene polymorphism and EH. Electronic databases were searched and seven separate studies on the association of the TNF alpha G308A gene polymorphism with EH were analyzed. The meta-analysis involved 1092 EH patients and 1152 controls. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by a fixed or random effect model. Results: A significant relationship between the TNF alpha G308A gene polymorphism and EH was found in an allelic genetic model (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.80, P = 0.0008), a recessive genetic model (OR: 3.181, 95% CI: 1.204 to 8.408, P = 0.02), and a homozygote model (OR: 3.454, 95% CI: 1.286 to 9.278, P = 0.014). No significant association between them was detected in both a dominant genetic model (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.42, P = 0.06) or a heterozygote genetic model (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.90 to 2.33, P = 0.13). Conclusion: The TNF alpha G308A gene polymorphism is associated with EH susceptibility.