The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype on acute mountain sickness and summit success in trekkers attempting the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m).
The I-allele rather than the D-allele of the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with high-altitude mountaineering success. We investigated whether the I-allele was associated with summit success, and also with AMS development, in altitude-naïve trekkers. Subjects ascended from 1,860 m to the summit over 4 days (n = 34, 'direct-profile') or 5 days (n = 82, 'slower-profile'). Proportionally more II direct-profile subjects were successful than ID or DD, although the difference was not significant (100% of II subjects, 52% ID and 43% DD, P = 0.09). There was no difference in success amongst subjects on the slower-profile (50% II, 45% ID and 58% DD, P = 0.54). There was a non-significant trend for increasing AMS scores in ID/DD subjects. Amongst tourist trekkers on Mt. Kilimanjaro the I-allele is not associated with summit success. No evidence is found to support an association between ACE genotype and AMS development.
Kalson
Nicholas S
NS
Manchester Altitude Research Society, The Medical School, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. nickkalson@gmail.com
Thompson
Julian
J
Davies
Andrew J
AJ
Stokes
Suzy
S
Earl
Mark D
MD
Whitehead
Adam
A
Tyrrell-Marsh
Ian
I
Frost
Hannah
H
Montgomery
Hugh
H
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000235:genetics; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013636:Tanzania; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A