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Background For many indications, the negative chronotropic effect of β‐blockers is important to their efficacy, yet the heart rate ( HR ) response to β‐blockers varies. Herein, we sought to use a genome‐wide association approach to identify novel single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP s) associated with HR response to β‐blockers. Methods and Results We first performed 4 genome‐wide association analyses for HR response to atenolol (a β1‐adrenergic receptor blocker) as: (1) monotherapy or (2) add‐on therapy, in 426 whites and 273 blacks separately from the PEAR (Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) study. A meta‐analysis was then performed between the genome‐wide association analysis performed in PEAR atenolol monotherapy and add‐on therapy, in each race separately, using the inverse variance method assuming fixed effects. From this analysis, SNP s associated with HR response to atenolol at a P <1E‐05 were tested for replication in whites (n=200) and blacks (n=168) treated with metoprolol (a β1‐adrenergic receptor blocker). From the genome‐wide association meta‐analyses, SNP rs17117817 near olfactory receptor family10 subfamily‐p‐member1 ( OR 10P1 ), and SNP rs2364349 in sorting nexin‐9 ( SNX 9 ) replicated in blacks. The combined studies meta‐analysis P values for the rs17117817 and rs2364349 reached genome‐wide significance (rs17117817G‐allele; Meta‐β=5.53 beats per minute, Meta‐ P =2E‐09 and rs2364349 A‐allele; Meta‐β=3.5 beats per minute, Meta‐ P =1E‐08). Additionally, SNP s in the OR 10P1 and SNX 9 gene regions were also associated with HR response in whites. Conclusions This study highlights OR 10P1 and SNX 9 as novel genes associated with changes in HR in response to β‐blockers. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 00246519.

Background Although hydrochlorothiazide ( HCTZ ) is a well‐established first‐line antihypertensive in the United States, <50% of HCTZ treated patients achieve blood pressure ( BP ) control. Thus, identifying biomarkers that could predict the BP response to HCTZ is critically important. In this study, we utilized metabolomics, genomics, and lipidomics to identify novel pathways and biomarkers associated with HCTZ BP response. Methods and Results First, we conducted a pathway analysis for 13 metabolites we recently identified to be significantly associated with HCTZ BP response. From this analysis, we found the sphingolipid metabolic pathway as the most significant pathway ( P =5.8E‐05). Testing 78 variants, within 14 genes involved in the sphingolipid metabolic canonical pathway, with the BP response to HCTZ identified variant rs6078905, within the SPTLC 3 gene, as a novel biomarker significantly associated with the BP response to HCTZ in whites (n=228). We found that rs6078905 C‐allele carriers had a better BP response to HCTZ versus noncarriers (∆ SBP /∆ DBP : −11.4/−6.9 versus −6.8/−3.5 mm Hg; ∆ SBP P =6.7E‐04; ∆ DBP P =4.8E‐04). Additionally, in blacks (n=148), we found genetic signals in the SPTLC 3 genomic region significantly associated with the BP response to HCTZ ( P <0.05). Last, we observed that rs6078905 significantly affects the baseline level of 4 sphingomyelins (N24:2, N24:3, N16:1, and N22:1; false discovery rate <0.05), from which N24:2 sphingomyelin has a significant correlation with both HCTZ DBP ‐response ( r =−0.42; P =7E‐03) and SBP ‐response ( r =−0.36; P =2E‐02). Conclusions This study provides insight into potential pharmacometabolomic and genetic mechanisms underlying HCTZ BP response and suggests that SPTLC 3 is a potential determinant of the BP response to HCTZ . Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 00246519.

Background The majority of hypertensive individuals require combination antihypertensive therapy to achieve adequate blood pressure ( BP ) control. This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with uncontrolled BP on combination therapy with a thiazide diuretic and a β‐blocker. Methods and Results A genome‐wide association study of uncontrolled BP on combination therapy was conducted among 314 white participants of the PEAR (Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) trial. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Genetic variants meeting a suggestive level of significance ( P <1.0E‐05) were tested for replication in an external cohort, INVEST (International Verapamil‐ SR Trandolapril study). We also examined genome‐wide variant associations with systolic and diastolic BP response on combination therapy and tested for replication. We discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism, the rs261316 major allele, at chromosome 15 in the gene ALDH1A2 associated with an increased odds of having uncontrolled BP on combination therapy (odds ratio: 2.56, 95% confidence interval, 1.69–3.88, P =8.64E‐06). This single nucleotide polymorphism replicated (odds ratio: 1.86, 95% confidence interval, 1.35–2.57, P =0.001) and approached genome‐wide significance in the meta‐analysis between discovery and replication cohorts (odds ratio: 2.16, 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86, P =8.60E‐08). Other genes in the region surrounding rs261316 ( ALDH1A2) include AQP9 and LIPC . Conclusions A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene ALDH1A2 may be associated with uncontrolled BP following treatment with a thiazide diuretic/β‐blocker combination. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 00246519.

Despite the availability of many antihypertensive drug classes, half of patients with hypertension have uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). The authors sought to assess the effect of age on BP response in European American and African American patients with hypertension. Clinic BP from the PEAR2 (Pharmacogenomics Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses 2) study was used to estimate BP responses from baseline following sequential treatment with metoprolol 100 mg twice daily and chlorthalidone 25 mg daily for 8 to 9 weeks each, with a minimum 4‐week washout between treatments. BP responses to both drugs were compared in 159 European Americans and 119 African Americans by age with adjustment for baseline BP and sex. European Americans younger than 50 years responded better to metoprolol than chlorthalidone (diastolic BP: −9.6 ± 8.0 vs −5.9 ± 6.8 mm Hg, adjusted P = .003), whereas patients 50 years and older responded better to chlorthalidone than metoprolol (systolic BP: −18.7 ± 13.8 vs −13.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg, adjusted P = .008). African Americans younger than 50 years responded similarly to both drugs, whereas those 50 years and older responded better to chlorthalidone than metoprolol (−17.0 ± 13.2/−9.6 ± 7.5 vs −7.0 ± 18.6/−6.7 ± 9.3 mm Hg, adjusted P<.0001/.008). Therefore, age should be considered when selecting antihypertensive therapy in European and African American populations with hypertension.

Lower melatonin level, melatonin receptor gene variations, and atenolol treatment are associated with glucose dysregulation. We investigated whether atenolol‐related glucose and melatonin changes are correlated, and whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in melatonin candidate genes contribute to interindividual variation in glucose change. Hypertensive Caucasians (n = 232) from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR) study treated with atenolol for 9 weeks were studied. Urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) was measured pre‐ and posttreatment and normalized to urinary creatinine. Pharmacogenetic effects on glucose change of 160 SNPs in 16 melatonin candidate genes were assessed with multiple linear regression. Atenolol was associated with increased glucose (1.8 ± 10.1mg/dl, P = 0.02) and decreased aMT6s (–4.5 ± 10.1 ng/mg, P < 0.0001). However, the aMT6s change was not correlated with post‐atenolol glucose change. SNP rs11649514 in PRKCB was associated with glucose change (P = 1.0×10−4). PRKCB is involved in the melatonin‐insulin regulatory pathway, and may be important in mediating clinically meaningful atenolol‐related hyperglycemia.

Background Identification of genetic markers of antihypertensive drug responses could assist in individualization of hypertension treatment. Methods and Results We conducted a genome‐wide association study to identify gene loci influencing the responsiveness of 228 male patients to 4 classes of antihypertensive drugs. The Genetics of Drug Responsiveness in Essential Hypertension ( GENRES ) study is a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study where each subject received amlodipine, bisoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, and losartan, each as a monotherapy, in a randomized order. Replication analyses were performed in 4 studies with patients of European ancestry ( PEAR Study, N=386; GERA I and II Studies, N=196 and N=198; SOPHIA Study, N=372). We identified 3 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within the ACY 3 gene that showed associations with bisoprolol response reaching genome‐wide significance ( P <5×10 −8 ); however, this could not be replicated in the PEAR Study using atenolol. In addition, 39 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms showed P values of 10 −5 to 10 −7 . The 20 top‐associated single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were different for each antihypertensive drug. None of these top single‐nucleotide polymorphisms co‐localized with the panel of >40 genes identified in genome‐wide association studies of hypertension. Replication analyses of GENRES results provided suggestive evidence for a missense variant (rs3814995) in the NPHS 1 (nephrin) gene influencing losartan response, and for 2 variants influencing hydrochlorothiazide response, located within or close to the ALDH 1A3 (rs3825926) and CLIC 5 (rs321329) genes. Conclusions These data provide some evidence for a link between biology of the glomerular protein nephrin and antihypertensive action of angiotensin receptor antagonists and encourage additional studies on aldehyde dehydrogenase–mediated reactions in antihypertensive drug action.

Background Resistant hypertension (RHTN), defined by lack of blood pressure (BP) control despite treatment with at least 3 antihypertensive drugs, increases cardiovascular risk compared with controlled hypertension. Yet, there are few data on genetic variants associated with RHTN. Methods and Results We used a gene‐centric array containing ≈50 000 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify polymorphisms associated with RHTN in hypertensive participants with coronary artery disease (CAD) from INVEST‐GENES (the INnternational VErapamil‐SR Trandolapril STudy—GENEtic Substudy). RHTN was defined as BP≥140/90 on 3 drugs, or any BP on 4 or more drugs. Logistic regression analysis was performed in European Americans (n=904) and Hispanics (n=837), using an additive model adjusted for age, gender, randomized treatment assignment, body mass index, principal components for ancestry, and other significant predictors of RHTN. Replication of the top SNP was conducted in 241 European American women from WISE (Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation), where RHTN was defined similarly. To investigate the functional effect of rs12817819, mRNA expression was measured in whole blood. We found ATP2B1 rs12817819 associated with RHTN in both INVEST European Americans ( P ‐value=2.44×10 −3 , odds ratio=1.57 [1.17 to 2.01]) and INVEST Hispanics ( P =7.69×10 −4 , odds ratio=1.76 [1.27 to 2.44]). A consistent trend was observed at rs12817819 in WISE, and the INVEST‐WISE meta‐analysis result reached chip‐wide significance ( P =1.60×10 −6 , odds ratio=1.65 [1.36 to 1.95]). Expression analyses revealed significant differences in ATP2B1 expression by rs12817819 genotype. Conclusions The ATP2B1 rs12817819 A allele is associated with increased risk for RHTN in hypertensive participants with documented CAD or suspected ischemic heart disease. Clinical Trial Registration URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifiers: NCT00133692 (INVEST), NCT00000554 (WISE).

Study ObjectiveTo develop and validate a predictive model for glucose change and risk for new‐onset impaired fasting glucose in hypertensive participants following treatment with atenolol or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).DesignRandomized multicenter clinical trial.PatientsA total of 735 white or African‐American men and women with uncomplicated hypertension.Measurements and Main ResultsPharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR) is a randomized clinical trial to assess the genetic and nongenetic predictors of blood pressure response and adverse metabolic effects following treatment with atenolol or HCTZ. To develop and validate predictive models for glucose change, PEAR participants were randomly divided into a derivation cohort of 367 and a validation cohort of 368. Linear and logistic regression modeling were used to build models of drug‐associated glucose change and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), respectively, in the derivation cohorts. These models were then evaluated in the validation cohorts. For glucose change after atenolol or HCTZ treatment, baseline glucose was a significant (p<0.0001) predictor, explaining 13% of the variability in glucose change after atenolol and 12% of the variability in glucose change after HCTZ. Baseline glucose was also the strongest and most consistent predictor (p<0.0001) for development of IFG after atenolol or HCTZ monotherapy. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.77 for IFG after atenolol and 0.71 after HCTZ treatment, respectively.ConclusionBaseline glucose is the primary predictor of atenolol or HCTZ‐associated glucose increase and development of IFG after treatment with either drug.

AbstractObjectiveElevations in uric acid (UA) and the associated hyperuricaemia are commonly observed secondary to treatment with thiazide diuretics. We sought to identify novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)‐induced elevations in UA and hyperuricaemia.MethodsA genome‐wide association study of HCTZ‐induced changes in UA was performed in Caucasian and African American participants from the pharmacogenomic evaluation of antihypertensive responses (PEAR) study who were treated with HCTZ monotherapy. Suggestive SNPs were replicated in Caucasians and African Americans from the PEAR study who were treated with HCTZ add‐on therapy. Replicated regions were followed up through expression and pathway analysis.ResultsFive unique gene regions were identified in African Americans (LUC7L2, ANKRD17/COX18, FTO, PADI4 and PARD3B), and one region was identified in Caucasians (GRIN3A). Increases in UA of up to 1.8 mg dL−1 were observed following HCTZ therapy in individuals homozygous for risk alleles, with heterozygotes displaying an intermediate phenotype. Several risk alleles were also associated with an increased risk of HCTZ‐induced clinical hyperuricaemia. A composite risk score, constructed in African Americans using the ‘top’ SNP from each gene region, was strongly associated with HCTZ‐induced UA elevations (P = 1.79 × 10−7) and explained 11% of the variability in UA response. Expression studies in RNA from whole blood revealed significant differences in expression of FTO by rs4784333 genotype. Pathway analysis showed putative connections between many of the genes identified through common microRNAs.ConclusionSeveral novel gene regions were associated with HCTZ‐induced UA elevations in African Americans (LUC7L2, COX18/ANKRD17, FTO, PADI4 and PARD3B), and one region was associated with these elevations in Caucasians (GRIN3A).