Peripheral Blood GPX1 mRNA Expression in Adults Aged 50–60 Years with Hypertension and Normotension: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) is an important intracellular antioxidant that protects vascular tissue by reducing hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides. Impaired GPX1 regulation may contribute to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension. Objective: This study evaluated peripheral blood GPX1 mRNA expression in hypertensive subjects compared with normotensive controls aged 50–60 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 60 participants, consisting of 30 hypertensive and 30 normotensive subjects selected purposively according to JNC VIII criteria. GPX1 mRNA expression was measured from venous blood using two-step RT-qPCR with GAPDH as the reference gene. Relative expression was calculated using the Livak method and compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Results and Discussion: PX1 expression was approximately 2.65-fold lower in hypertensive subjects, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.165). Conclusion: Although GPX1 mRNA expression exhibited a marked decline in hypertensive subjects, establishing its diagnostic utility warrants further investigations quantifying total protein abundance and functional enzymatic activity.