Abstract: Objective To see the possible correlation between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and blood pressure and serum lipid levels in a family-based long-lived population. Methods: COMT Val158Met was genotyped with PCR-RFLP for long-lived families (HL) and non-long-lived families (HNL) from Guangxi Hongshuihe River Basin and two controls outside the Basin (Pingguo long-lived families [PL] and non-long-lived families [PNL]). The correlation between this polymorphism and blood pressure and lipids were then evaluated. Results: No difference was found in the frequencies of allele A and its relevant genotypes (GA/AA) between HL and HNL, whose however are significantly higher than that of PL and PNL (all P < 0.01). While the blood pressure and lipid levels were similar between GA/AA and GG in HL and PNL, the systolic pressure, pulse pressure and levels of TC, TG and LDL-C of GA/AA were noted higher than were GG in HNL. Multiple regression analysis showed that COMT Val158Met was negatively associated with TC and LDL-C levels in HNL and PL. Conclusions: COMT 158Met mainly impact on blood pressure in the general families rather than the long-lived families in Guangxi Hongshuihe River Basin, albeit it presents more frequently in the Basin.

Key words: COMT gene, polymorphism, blood pressure, lipid, longevity.