Association of ITGA2 C807T and ITGB3 T1565C polymorphisms with platelet characteristics in hypertensive Azerbaijani patients

<b>Objective:</b> Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide, including in Azerbaijan. This study investigates the association of <i>ITGA2</i> (C807T) and <i>ITGB3</i> (T1565C) gene polymorphisms with platelet characteristics in Azerbaijani patients with arterial hypertension (AH), focusing on potential thrombotic risk. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 100 participants were examined, including 76 hypertensive patients and 24 controls. The hypertensive group was further subdivided based on comorbidities: ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Genotyping was performed using the massARRAY method. Platelet indices, including mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), platelet distribution width (PDWsd) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26, with correlation tests, ANOVA, and Chi-square tests to examine genotype distribution and platelet characteristics. <b>Results:</b> Carriers of the homozygous C/C genotype of the <i>ITGA2</i> gene and T/T genotype of the <i>ITGB3</i> gene exhibited the highest platelet counts and elevated MPV, suggesting a tendency toward increased platelet aggregation. Although all platelet parameters remained within the normal range, significant correlations were found between the <i>ITGA2</i> T allele and MPV, PDWsd, and LPCR in hypertensive patients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The study indicates that patients with the T/T genotype of <i>ITGA2</i> and ITGB3 may have an elevated risk of thromboembolism. <b>Conclusion:</b> Integrin gene polymorphisms, particularly in <i>ITGA2</i> and <i>ITGB3</i>, are associated with altered platelet characteristics in Azerbaijani patients with arterial hypertension. These genetic markers could serve as predictors for thrombotic complications, providing insights into targeted prevention strategies in CVD management.