ACE I/D gene polymorphism: presence of the ACE D allele increases the risk of coronary artery disease in younger individuals.
BACKGROUND
Presence of the D allele or homozygosity for the deletion (D) allele of the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been discussed as potent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI).


RESULTS
In 2267 male Caucasians the relation of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism to CAD and MI were investigated. An association of the D allele to CAD was detected in younger subjects (e.g. < 61.7 years, mean value), but not in older patients (e.g. > or = 61.7 years). Additional exclusion of individuals with other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. high BMI) produced an even stronger association of the D allele to CAD. In contrast, a relation of this polymorphism to non-fatal MI was only observed in older subjects; additional limitation to individuals without cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. BMI and/or diabetes) yielded a further enhancement of this association to MI. In younger subjects (e.g. < 61.7 years) the gene polymorphism was not related to non-fatal MI even after exclusion of additional risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The present large case-control study strengthens the assumption of an association of the ACE D allele with the risk of ischemic heart disease.
Gardemann
A
A
Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Germany.
Fink
M
M
Stricker
J
J
Nguyen
Q D
QD
Humme
J
J
Katz
N
N
Tillmanns
H
H
Hehrlein
F W
FW
Rau
M
M
Haberbosch
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A