Angiotensin Converting Enzyme

Abstract

Background The renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system plays important role in the patogenesis of the cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to assess angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE gene) polymorphic variants in subjects without clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic diseases. 'The ACE gene polymorphism distribution was compared with blood preassure and other risk factors of atherosclerosis distribution.
Material and metod We examined 307 subjects, 254 men and 53 women, mean age 44 ± 9 years, who did not have any symptoms of coronary artery disease, stroke or other cardiovascular diseases. We measured blood preassure, weight, height, weist and hip circumference, serum glucose and lipids levels. In each subject ecg was performed. The polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to determine the ACE I/D genotype.
Results There was no significant difference in the genotype distribution and allel frequency between subjects with normal (DD - 34%, ID - 40% i II - 26°l0, allel D - 54%, allel I - 46%) and high blood pressure (DD - 39%, ID - 36% i II - 25%, allel D - 57%, allel I - 43%). Distribution of common atherosclerosis risk factors was independent from ACE gene IJD polymorphism. There was also no significant difference in the genotype distribution and allel frequency between subjects with low (< 5%) and high (> 20%) risk of coronary event.
Conclusions It seems that the presence of a particularACE gene polymorphic variant has no significant influence on blood pressure level and other studied risk factor of atherosclerosis.