title: Impaired abdominal aortic wall integrity in elderly men carrying the angiotensin-converting enzyme D allele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting-enzyme gene (ACE I/D) has been associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm and a link between aortic aneurysm and aortic stiffness has been suggested. This study aimed to explore the links between ACE I/D polymorphism, circulating ACE and abdominal aortic wall integrity as reflected by abdominal aortic wall stiffness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 212 men and 194 women, aged 70-88 years, were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mechanical properties of the abdominal aorta were determined using the Wall Track System, ACE genotype using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and circulating ACE level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In men, pulsatile diameter change differed between genotypes (II 0.70, ID 0.55 and DD 0.60 mm, P = 0.048), whereas a tendency was seen for distensibility coefficient (DC) (II 10.38, ID 7.68 and ID 8.79, P = 0.058). Using a dominant model (II vs. ID/DD), men carrying the ACE D allele had lower pulsatile diameter change (P = 0.014) and DC (P = 0.017) than II carriers. Multiple regression analyses showed additional associations between the D allele and increased stiffness β, and reduced compliance coefficient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men carrying the ACE D allele have stiffer abdominal aortas compared with II carriers. Deranged abdominal aortic stiffness indicates impaired vessel wall integrity, which, along with other local predisposing factors, may be important in aneurysmal disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. liza.ljungberg@liu.se
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Ljungberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Basso
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Alehagen
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Björck
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dahlström
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Länne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A