A statistical study using correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, and descriptive statistics was carried out in order to meet the predetermined target. 109 children's medical records were examined in order to gather data; 63 children made up the main group and 46 made up the control group. Among other clinical characteristics, the investigation looked at the link between genetic markers and age, blood pressure, and proteinuria levels.
In the initial phase of the investigation, the "DNA-sorb-B" reagent kit for clinical material DNA extraction was used to extract genomic DNA from dried blood spots on DNA cards. The next step in the preparation of the DNA samples was to use a Nanodrop 2000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, USA) to measure the samples' concentration and purity.
The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, (InsDel)) and the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AGTR1, rs5186 (1166A/C)) are the two polymorphic loci in the renin-angiotensin system that were the focus of the investigation. Table 1 presents the genotyping methods.
Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics are used to characterize the fundamental characteristics of the sample and to summarize the data.
Correlation analysis: Used to investigate the connections between clinical indicators and genetic markers.
To ascertain the significance of observed relationships, hypothesis testing is used.
Implements and Machinery
Thermo Scientific, USA's Nanodrop 2000 Spectrophotometer is used to evaluate the concentration and purity of DNA samples.
The "DNA-sorb-B" reagent kit is used to extract DNA from medical specimens.
Table 1 describes the unique genotyping methods and comprehensive approaches for the ACE and AGTR1 polymorphisms.
Table 1
List of loci and methods of genotyping
Gene | Polymorphic locus | Method of genotyping | Manufacturer |
AGT | Thr174Met, rs4762 | Real-time PCR in the presence of fluorescent probes | «Syntol» LLC |
AGTR1 | A1166C rs5186 | Real-time PCR in the presence of fluorescent probes | «Syntol» LLC |
AGTR2 | G1675A rs1403543 | Allele-specific real-time PCR with fluorescent dye | «Litech» LLC |
AGTR2 | A-1332G | Classical PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion of amplification products and separation of the resulting fragments in a polyacrylamide gel | |
The distribution of genotypes for three NOS3 polymorphisms among the patient groups and the control group is shown in Fig. 1.
There were 27 females and 36 boys in the main group. In the major group, there was a 5 year minimum and a 16 year maximum age. With a standard deviation of roughly 3.58 years, the average age was roughly 11.65 years.
The image illustrates the incidence of various genotypes among children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by associating them with particular age ranges.
The genotypes bb (NOS3) and DD (ACE) are more prevalent in older children (12–14 years old), which may indicate a connection to a later onset and course of the illness.
Younger age groups have higher prevalence of the AA (AGTR1) and ab (NOS3) genotypes, which may indicate that these variants have an impact on the disease's early phases.
This distribution implies that the child's genetic predisposition may have an impact on the age at which the sickness manifests and how severe it is.
The majority of youngsters, according to the histogram, are between the ages of 10 and 14, with a peak frequency occurring at 12. This implies that this is the time when the illness is most frequently diagnosed. The A-Squared value is 2.23 and the p-value is less than 0.005, indicating that the age distribution does not follow a normal distribution. This may indicate that there are anomalies in the sample or that specific age groups are more likely to be affected by the disease.
Parameters of Statistics:
The sample's mean age of 11.746 years confirms the predominance of middle-aged children.
The peak displayed in the histogram also corresponds with the median age of 12 years.
Skewness: The skewness of the data is moderately negative (-0.913302), indicating that a greater percentage of children fall into the older age groups.
Kurtosis: A distribution shape that is roughly normal but has deviations is suggested by the value of 0.081489, which is quite close to zero.
Confidence Intervals: 11.059 to 12.433 is the 95% confidence interval for the mean.
The 95% confidence interval for the standard deviation is from 2.322 to 3.311, and the 95% confidence interval for the median is between 12 and 13.
It may be important to note that the majority of children fall within this age range while making a diagnosis and developing a treatment strategy.
Boxplot: The boxplot shows the age range, with five years as the minimum and sixteen years as the maximum. Two outliers in the lower range attest to the existence of younger children with CKD diagnoses.
Ultrasound scans of 46 of the 63 youngsters in the main group did not reveal any abnormal alterations in their kidneys. Ultrasonography revealed renal diseases in 17 of the remaining children, or 26.9%. This suggests that over 25% of the main group exhibits certain abnormalities that might call for extra observation or help.
Frequent disease relapses were seen in 26 children (41.2%), which could be a sign of a more serious disease course or inadequate current treatment. Concurrently, 37 kids (58.8%) experienced rare relapses, which might point to a milder version of the illness or the efficacy of the treatment being administered.
Thirty infants (47.6%) had edema, a clinical indication that is frequently linked to kidney disorders and may suggest compromised kidney function. 33 children (52.4%) did not have edema, which could be a sign of improved kidney function or a different stage of the illness.
39.7% of the individuals under investigation have the DD genotype. This genotype is connected to a higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses and some types of kidney dysfunction, and it is frequently associated with enhanced enzyme activity. Among the group, the ID genotype is the most prevalent, accounting for 57.9% of participants. It is believed that the dangers connected to the DD and II genotypes are somewhat balanced by this heterozygous genotype. The rarest genotype, II, is seen in 2.4% of individuals. This genotype may be connected to a lower risk of cardiovascular illnesses as it is typically associated with lower enzyme activity.
AGTR1 Gene Polymorphism (Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor): 68.3% of the participants have the AC genotype. An abnormal response to angiotensin II, which regulates blood pressure and blood volume, may be indicated by this genotype. Of the participants, 31.7% have the CC genotype. According to certain research, there may be a link between the CC genotype and a higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
Endothelial NO Synthase (NOS3 Gene Polymorphism): 49.2% of the subjects have the ab genotype. This genotype denotes heterozygosity and could affect blood circulation and vascular function in several ways. The bb genotype is also rather prevalent, present in 50.8% of the subjects. This genotype may be linked to different vascular responses depending on the situation.
To evaluate the effects of three hypotheses on clinical parameters in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), each of which is connected to one of the genetic markers that have been examined (ACE, AGTR1, and NOS3).
First hypothesis: Compared to other genotypes (ID and II), children with CKD who have the ACE (DD) genotype have higher amounts of proteinuria.
Hypothesis 2
Compared to the AA genotype, the AGTR1 (AC) genotype is linked to a higher frequency of kidney abnormalities found by ultrasound.
Hypothesis 3
Compared to the bb genotype, children with CKD who have the NOS3 (ab) genotype have greater blood pressure.
In order to better understand the role that various genetic markers play in the pathophysiology of the disease and to aid in the development of patient-specific therapy and monitoring strategies, these hypotheses seek to investigate the impact of these markers on the clinical symptoms of childhood CKD.
Table 2
Comparative analysis of proteinuria levels among ACE genotypes (DD, ID and II) in children with chronic kidney disease
Variable | ACE | N | N* | Mean | SE Mean | StDev | Minimum | Q1 | Median | Q3 | Maximum |
proteinuria | DD | 25 | 0 | 10.5296 | 3.27876 | 16.3938 | 1.47 | 3.64 | 4.5 | 6.53 | 62 |
| ID | 34 | 0 | 2.66765 | 0.113864 | 0.663937 | 1.45 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.075 | 4.3 |
| II | 4 | 0 | 1.9125 | 0.0590727 | 0.118145 | 1.75 | 1.7875 | 1.95 | 2 | 2 |
Compared to the other genotypes, the DD genotype has a substantially higher mean proteinuria level of 10.5296 mg/ml. The mean proteinuria level for the ID genotype is 2.66765 mg/ml, which falls in the middle of the range for the DD and II genotypes. At 1.9125 mg/ml, the mean proteinuria level for the II genotype is the lowest. The idea that the DD genotype is linked to a more severe illness course is supported by these data, which show that children with this genotype had much greater levels of proteinuria. It demonstrates the wide range of proteinuria levels, including the highest values, in children with the DD genotype, suggesting their susceptibility to more severe illness symptoms.
Youngsters with the ID and II genotypes have more stable and reduced levels of proteinuria, as seen by their smaller ranges of values. These findings support Hypothesis 1, which states that children with the ACE (DD) genotype have a more severe course of chronic kidney disease than children with the ID and II genotypes. The ACE (DD) genotype is linked to greater levels of proteinuria.
Table 3
Distribution of renal pathologies in children with chronic kidney disease based on AGTR1 genotypes (AC and CC)
AGTR1 | Count | Percent | CumCnt | CumPct | Ultrasound | Count | Percent | CumCnt | CumPct |
AA | 20 | 31.75 | 20 | 31.75 | With pathologies | 17 | 26.98 | 17 | 26.98 |
AC | 43 | 68.25 | 63 | 100.00 | Without changes | 46 | 73.02 | 63 | 100.00 |
N= | 63 | | | | N= | 63 | | | |
The distribution of renal abnormality frequency among children with chronic kidney disease based on the AGTR1 genotypes (AC and AA) is shown in Table 3.
AC Genotype: Found in 68.25% of children, of whom 26.98% had abnormalities and 73.02% had no abnormalities found by ultrasonography.
The AA genotype is present in 31.75% of kids. The prevalence of abnormalities in children with this genotype was found to be 26.98%, matching the frequency of abnormalities in children with the AC genotype.
Since the rates of abnormalities are the same for both genotypes, these results do not support the hypothesis that the AA genotype is associated with a higher frequency of abnormalities than the AC genotype.
Table 4
Comparative analysis of blood pressure among NOS3 genotypes (ab and bb) in children with chronic kidney disease
NOS3 | Count | Percent | CumCnt | CumPct | Blood pressure | Count | Percent | CumCnt | CumPct |
ab | 31 | 49.21 | 31 | 49.21 | 100/60 | 16 | 25.40 | 16 | 25.40 |
bb | 32 | 50.79 | 63 | 100.00 | 100/65 | 3 | 4.76 | 19 | 30.16 |
N= | 63 | | | | 110/60 | 11 | 17.46 | 30 | 47.62 |
| | | | | 120/80 | 2 | 3.17 | 32 | 50.79 |
| | | | | 130/90 | 15 | 23.81 | 47 | 74.60 |
| | | | | 140/90 | 9 | 14.29 | 56 | 88.89 |
| | | | | 80/50 | 2 | 3.17 | 58 | 92.06 |
| | | | | 80/60 | 3 | 4.76 | 61 | 96.83 |
| | | | | 90/60 | 2 | 3.17 | 63 | 100.00 |
| | | | | N= | 63 | | | |
The distribution of blood pressure readings in children with various NOS3 genotypes is shown in Table 4.
ab Genotype: Identified in 49.21% of children; the two most prevalent blood pressure readings, which indicate high blood pressure, are 130/90 (23.81%) and 140/90 (14.29%).
The bb genotype is present in 50.79% of kids. Elevated blood pressure is also noted in this group, with 130/90 (23.81%) being the most common number. Nonetheless, the proportion of kids with a blood pressure reading of 140/90 is less (14.29%).
Despite the fact that there are no appreciable variations in the distribution between the two genotypes, these results show that both have high blood pressure values. As a result, Hypothesis 3 is unfounded. There are no appreciable changes in blood pressure based on genotype, as elevated blood pressure (130/90 and greater) is seen in a considerable proportion of children with both genotypes.