title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is not associated with vasoocclusive complications of sickle cell anemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a group of hemoglobin disorders in which the sickle β-globin gene is inherited. It is associated with many complications; most of them are related to thrombotic events.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and complications of SCA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was conducted in Khartoum state.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 patients with SCA and 40 healthy volunteers as a control group were enrolled in this study. Three milliliters of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulated blood were collected from each subject, DNA was extracted by salting-out method, and target DNA regions of the ACE gene were amplified using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of this study was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Frequency of qualitative variables was calculated, and correlation was tested by Chi-square test. Regression was used to investigate the association between the polymorphism and complications of SCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of the DD, ID, and II genotypes were 42%, 50%, and 8%, respectively, for patients, whereas in the control group, it was 80% for DD genotype and 20% for ID, while II genotype was totally absent. The regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between the disease complications and each of the ACE polymorphic genotypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant association was found between ACE polymorphism and complications of SCA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
authors.forename: Sana Abass
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mahjoub
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
authors.forename: Enaam
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abdelrhman
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopatology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
authors.forename: Mohammed Elfatih Mohy
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: El-Deen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Diagnostic and Councelation Centre, Khartoum, Sudan.
authors.forename: Mustafa Sharf Eldin
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mustafa
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
authors.forename: Elshazali Widaa
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Ali
keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; insertion/deletion; polymorphism; sickle cell anemia