Circulating angiotensin converting enzyme activity is correlated with muscle strength.
OBJECTIVE
The D-variant of the angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with higher circulating and tissue ACE activity. Some studies have suggested a similar association of genotype with muscle strength or the gain in strength in response to training. This study has assessed the relationship between circulating ACE activity, strength, and the response to training.


METHODS
Eighty-one untrained men were tested for quadriceps muscle strength, and 44 of these performed an 8-wk program of dynamic strength training of the quadriceps muscle group. Venous blood was obtained for assessment of circulating ACE activity before and after the training program. ACE genotype was also determined.


RESULTS
At baseline, circulating ACE activity was significantly correlated with isometric (r = 0.25-0.29, P < 0.02) and isokinetic (r = 0.38, P < 0.0005) quadriceps muscle strength. ACE genotype also seemed to be related to pretraining muscle strength. However, circulating ACE activity showed no significant association with the 9-14% mean increases of muscle strength in response to the training intervention. ACE genotype also showed no association with the training-induced change in muscle strength. Circulating ACE activity did not change significantly after the training program.


CONCLUSIONS
The data support a role for ACE in the regulation of human skeletal muscle strength, but do not confirm a role in altering the response to short-term training.
Williams
Alun G
AG
Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. a.g.williams@mmu.ac.uk
Day
Stephen H
SH
Folland
Jonathan P
JP
Gohlke
Peter
P
Dhamrait
Sukhbir
S
Montgomery
Hugh E
HE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A