Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and arterial wall thickness in a general population. The Vobarno Study.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that the D allele of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with conditions of increased cardiovascular risk, including left ventricular hypertrophy.


RESULTS
Considering that a genetically determined overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system may influence cardiac as well as vascular growth, we investigated possible relations between ACE I/D genotype and carotid artery wall thickness (B-mode ultrasound) in 199 subjects, 50 to 64 years old, sampled from the general population of Vobarno, a small town in northern Italy. ACE DD genotype was associated with significantly higher common carotid artery intima-media thickness (P = .003). The occurrence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques was similar in the different genotypes. There was no association of the ACE I/D genotype with blood pressure values (either casual of 24-hour ambulatory monitored).


CONCLUSIONS
ACE DD genotype may be considered a risk factor for the development of common carotid intima-media thickening in our study population.
Castellano
M
M
Center of Hypertension and Cardiorespiratory Risk Factors, University of Brescia, Italy.
Muiesan
M L
ML
Rizzoni
D
D
Beschi
M
M
Pasini
G
G
Cinelli
A
A
Salvetti
M
M
Porteri
E
E
Bettoni
G
G
Kreutz
R
R
D000483:Alleles; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A