The insertion polymorphism in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene associated with the APOE ε4 allele increases the risk of late-onset Alzheimer disease

Several studies have shown that a common insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene may confer an increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). However, the result has not been replicated by all studies. In order to clarify the role of the polymorphism for the occurrence of LOAD in Chinese and the possibility of a synergistic effect with the apolipoprotein E allele 4 on the risk of Alzheimer disease, we examined the ACE and APOE genotypes in a Chinese sample consisting of 104 sporadic LOAD patients and 128 healthy controls. An obvious difference of allelic and genotypic distributions of ACE I/D polymorphism between cases and controls was observed (chi2 = 6.61, df = 2, p = 0.037 by genotype; chi2 = 4.67, df = 1, p = 0.031 by allele). And ACE I allele carriers showed an increased risk for LOAD developing (chi2 = 6.59, df = 1, p =0.01, OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.25-6.77). After stratifying by APOE epsilon 4 status, the increased LOAD risks associated with I allele carriers only in the APOE epsilon 4 noncarriers was seen (chi2 = 4.12, df = 1, p = 0.042). Logistic regression analysis of total subjects demonstrated a more than sevenfold increase in the risk of developing LOAD in subjects carrying both the ACE I allele and the APOE epsilon 4 (OR = 7.39, 95% CI 2.50-21.89, p < 0.001). Our data revealed that ACE I/D polymorphism is considered to be an additional risk factor, which has strong synergistic interaction with APOE epsilon 4 on the risk of LOAD.     

Association study of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with schizophrenia and polydipsia.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system and can modulate dopamine turnover in the midbrain. Previous studies have revealed changes in the central ACE levels for schizophrenic patients, possibly related to the polydipsia commonly demonstrated for chronic schizophrenia. An insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the ACE gene has been associated with ACE levels. Therefore, we elected to investigate the ACE I/D polymorphism for 124 schizophrenic patients and 117 control subjects. No significant differences for the genotype distribution or the allele frequency were revealed comparing controls and schizophrenic patients. The ACE genotypes were not associated with onset age or psychiatric symptoms for the schizophrenic cases. A modest association was revealed for this ACE polymorphism and polydipsia diagnosis for these patients. Using bearers of the D allele as baseline, the ratio for I/I homozygote was 2.31 (95% CI 0.95-5.65). This association needs further replication as it may have implications for the pathogenesis and the treatment of polydipsia for schizophrenic patients.     

血管紧张素原、血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性 与脑卒中相关性研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素原基因 (AGT)的M2 35T基因多态性、血管紧张素转换酶 (ACE)基因的插入 (I) /缺失 (D)多态性与中国汉族人脑卒中发病的相关性。方法　采用PCR法和PCR RFLR法检测 10 0例脑卒中患者 (脑梗死患者 72例 ,脑出血患者 2 8例 )以及 10 0例正常人ACE(I/D)和AGT(M2 35T)的基因多态性。结果　在脑卒中患者中ACE的纯合插入 (I)基因型和I等位基因频率增加 (x2 =4 17,P =0 0 4 1) ,AGT基因的 2 35TT基因型和T等位基因频率明显增加 (x2 =2 6 79,P <0 0 0 1)。结论　同期监测AGT及ACE基因多态性是一项对急性脑血管病风险因素分子水平的检测方法 ,这对筛选脑卒中高危人群并早期采取干预对策 ,防治脑卒中有一定意义。     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与自发性蛛网膜下腔出血后脑血管痉挛的相关性研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因插入/缺失（I/D）位点多态性与自发性蛛网膜下腔出血（SAH）后脑血管痉挛（CVS）的关系。方法 166例自发性SAH患者按照是否合并CVS分为CVS组72例和对照组94例,采用ELISA法检测患者血清ACE水平,采用聚合酶链反应﹣限制性片段长度多态性法检测ACE基因I/D位点多态性。结果 SAH后13 d内血清ACE水平无显著变化（均P>0.05）。CVS组患者入院时血清ACE基线水平高于对照组（t=2.136,P=0.048）。ACE组和对照组比较,两组ACE基因I/D位点基因型和等位基因分布频率差异均具有统计学意义（χ²=7.086,P=0.029;χ²=6.080,P=0.014）。多因素logistic回归法分析结果显示对于自发性SAH患者,携带ACE基因I/D位点D等位基因是发生CVS的危险因素（OR=1.473,95%CI：1.068～2.610,P=0.021）。结论 对于自发性SAH患者,ACE基因I/D位点多态性可能与CVS发生相关。     

The ACE deletion polymorphism is not associated with Parkinson's disease

The deletion allele (D allele) polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with increased levels of the neuropeptide substance P in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra. A reduction of substance P levels in the brain occurs in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. We investigated the hypothesis that the D allele may be protective towards PD by examining the frequency of the ACE (I/D) polymorphism in 178 PD cases (male:female ratio = 1.4) and 192 controls (male:female ratio = 1.5). ACE (I/D) genotype was determined using polymerase chain reaction and 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. Unadjusted chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference between genotype frequencies (chi2 = 3.30, p > 0.10) or allele frequencies (chi2 = 2.52, p > 0.10) between patient and control groups, although PD patients were less likely to be homozygous (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.49-1.29) or heterozygous (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.59-1.06) for the D allele. A stepwise logistic regression analysis of the ACE deletion and risk factor data confirmed that there was no significant association between the ACE deletion (D allele) polymorphism and PD (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.35-1. 10, p = 0.10). This study does not support the hypothesis that the D allele of the ACE gene confers a protective effect with respect to PD.     

遗忘型轻度认知障碍与血管紧张素转换酶的基因多态性和血清水平关系的研究

目的 探讨遗忘型轻度认知障碍(aMCI)与血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因插入和缺失(I/D)多态性及血清ACE活力水平的关系.方法 对符合美国Meyo诊所Petersen等制定的aMCI诊断标准的90例aMCI患者(aMC[组)及90名与aMCI组相匹配正常对照者(对照组)进行神经认知功能评估,并应用聚合酶链反应检测ACE基因I/D多态性,用紫外分光光度法检测血清ACE活力水平.结果 (1)aMCI组的各项神经认知测试成绩均差于对照组(P<0.01).(2)aMCI组ACE基因型(χ2=1.510)及等位基因频率(χ2=6.945)与对照组的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),其中aMCI组DD基因型(23%)及D等位基因频率(57%)高于对照组(分别为16%和43%).(3)两组DD基因型(n=35)及DI基因趔(n=109)者的听觉词语记忆、符号数宁转换测试、复杂图形及类别词语流畅性得分低于Ⅱ基因型者(n=36;均P<0.05-0.01).(4)aMCI组(F=7.491)和对照组(F=4.970)ACE基因型各亚组问血清ACE活力水平的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),两组ACE活力水平均为DD型组>DI型组>II型组.(5)aMCI组血清ACE活力与听觉词语记忆测试的延迟回忆得分呈负相关(r=-0.249,P<0.05).结论 D等位基因可能为aMCI的发病危险因子,其调控的血清ACE高活力水平与aMCI患者情节记忆损害有关.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and risk of restenosis after directional coronary atherectomy followed by stent implantation

The D allele of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with higher plasma and tissue ACE levels, which enhance the stimulus for neo-intimal hyperplasia. Plaque debulking before stenting reduces the plaque-related determinants of in-stent restenosis and provides an ideal clinical model for studying neointimal hyperplasia. We prospectively studied 113 consecutive patients undergoing elective DCA followed by stent implantation. The presence of I/D in ACE genome DNA was analysed by means of polymerase chain reaction. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed 6-12 months after DCA, and all of the angiograms were quantitatively analysed. The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of the patients with a D/D (33%), I/D (52%) and I/I (15%) genotype were well balanced. There were no significant differences in minimal lumen diameter before and after the procedure or at follow-up, and no significant differences in acute gain, late loss or the loss index. Our results indicate that ACE I/D polymorphism does not influence the risk of developing angiographic restenosis in patients undergoing DCA followed by stent implantation.     

Polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in patients with cerebral infarction in koreans

The relationship between cerebrovascular disease and an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is still being debated. The frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene was significantly higher in subjects with than those without cerebral infarction in Japan. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between ACE gene polymorphism and the development of cerebral infarction in a population from Korea. We examined its possible role as a risk factor in patients with cerebral infarction. The association between ACE gene polymorphism and cerebral infarction was examined in 106 patients with cerebral infarction and 498 controls without cerebral infarction. Frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of the ACE gene were investigated. The ACE genotype was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequency of D allele was 37.7% in patients and 39.1% in controls (X ²=0.128, p=0.720). The frequencies of the genotypes of the ACE gene were II:39.6%, ID:45.3%, and DD:15.1% in patients, and II:37.1%, ID:47.6%, and DD:15.3% in controls (X ²=0.127, p=0.721). There was no significant difference in the frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene, and we did not find any association between ACE polymorphism and cerebral infarction. These results indicate that ACE polymorphism is not a risk factor for the development of cerebral infarction in a Korean population.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism and risk of multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity is increased in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, the blockade of ACE suppresses the disease itself. To analyze the genetic association of the ACE gene with MS, we examined ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 313 MS patients from Slovenia and Croatia and 376 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences in the distribution of ACE I/D allele frequencies (P < 0.01) and genotypes (P < 0.04) in male patients. ACE DD genotype was associated with MS in men at an odds ratio of 1.86 (95% CI 1.09-3.19, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: DD genotype of ACE gene might contribute to a higher risk of developing MS in men.     

The D allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with worse functional outcome of ischaemic stroke

Purpose: Insertion/deletion polymorphism in ACE gene (ACE I/D) is known to be associated with the occurrence of ischaemic stroke through its effect on pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. This study was aimed to examine the association between this polymorphism with functional outcome of ischaemic stroke.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study. The subjects were patients with ischaemic stroke in a reference hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data on demographic characteristics, stroke risk factors, comorbidities and stroke severity were assessed on admission. The functional outcome, Barthel index (BI), was assessed when the patients were discharged from the hospital. ACE I/D genotypes of the patients were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Result: In total, 61 patients were included. Of these, 38 patients (62.3%) had II polymorphism, 22 patients (36.1%) had ID polymorphism and 1 patient (1.6%) had DD polymorphism in the ACE gene. There were significant differences in the functional outcomes between patients without D allele (II polymorphisms) and patients with D allele (ID and DD polymorphism) (mean BI on discharge: 75 ± 23.57 and 60.65 ± 27.15, respectively; p = 0.034). Multiple linear regression model showed that the availability of D allele is an independent variable negatively associated with functional outcome as assessed by BI (β = ?0.232, p = 0.024).

Conclusion: This study showed that the D allele in ACE I/D polymorphism is associated with worse functional outcomes. This highlights the possibility of further research to improve functional outcomes of ischaemic stroke by inhibiting the ACE system.     

Outcome in males with first-episode schizophrenia: 7-year follow-up

Abstract

Family, twin, and segregation analytic studies indicate a complex genetic contribution to panic disorder with an estimated heritability of 48%. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) degrades substance P, which has been implicated in anxiety-related behaviour. ACE has been suggested as a potential risk factor in the pathogenesis of panic attacks. A functional insertion deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene was suggested to be associated with panic disorder in a potentially gender-specific way (). The present study aimed to replicate this finding and thereby to further elucidate the role of ACE gene variation in the pathomechanism of panic disorder. The ACE I/D polymorphism was genotyped in a sample of 102 German patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia as well as a healthy German control group matched with regard to age and sex (n = 102). In the male subgroup (n = 43) of panic patients a significant association of the ACE I allele (P = 0.0474) and genotypes containing the I allele (P = 0.0195), respectively, was observed. The present results provide further support for a potentially male-specific role of the less active ACE I allele in the pathogenesis of panic disorder, possibly by altering substance P levels.     

Association between angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene functional polymorphism and novelty seeking personality in healthy females

A certain type of personality is at risk for developing psychiatric diseases. Several lines of evidence support the interaction between brain angiotensins and central catecholamine systems, and suggest that angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) may be a reasonable candidate gene for psychiatric disorders. The present study examined the possibility that ACE insertion (I)/deletion (D) functional polymorphism might be associated with particular personality traits. Healthy Japanese subjects (N=184) were administered the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the NEO Personality Inventory Revised version (NEO-PI-R), and their ACE I/D polymorphisms were determined. There was an ethnic difference in the genetic distribution of ACE I/D between Japanese (D=34.5%) and Caucasians (D=55.2%). We found that the scores of novelty seeking (NS) in the Low-ACE group (II genotype) of healthy female subjects were significantly lower than those in the High-ACE group (ID or DD genotype) (p=0.018). Our findings suggested that the ACE I/D polymorphism might be associated with the NS personality trait in females, but not males. Taking into account the effects of multiple comparisons, this result should be interpreted with caution, and needs confirmation in a larger sample.     

血管紧张素转换酶基因定量性状位点多态性与脑血管病的关系研究

目的:研究血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因定量性状位点:16内含子插入/缺失(I/D)和3’非翻译区4656(CT)23多态性与高血压、脑血管病的关系。方法:对54例动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗塞(ACI)、45例腔隙性脑梗塞、33例脑出血、40例高血压患者及66例正常对照者以多聚酶链反应-扩增片段长度多态性(PCR-AFLP)方法分析ACE基因I/D多态性、以多聚酶链反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)方法检测4656(CT)23多态性。结果:各受试组之间比较,仅ACI患者ACE基因I/D等位基因频率(0.546/0.454)分布与对照人群(0.674/0.326)显著不同(X2=4.114,P<0.05),而高血压、脑出血及腔隙性脑梗死患者与对照人群无显著差别;D等位基因决定高水平血AT-Ⅱ。本受试人群中未发现3'非翻泽区4656(CT)23多态现象。结论:ACE D等位基因并非高血压的危险因素,而是ACI发病的遗传性危险因素;中国人3’非翻译区可能无4656(CT)23多态性。     

Combined action of the ACE D- and the G-protein beta3 T-allele in major depression: a possible link to cardiovascular disease?

Although it is well established that depression is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease and that cerebrovascular disease can be a major contributing factor for the development of depression, the information about the interplay between the central nervous system and cardiovascular disease is still limited. We investigated the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) ID and the G-protein beta3-subunit (Gbeta3) C825T polymorphism in 201 patients with unipolar major depression and 161 ethnically and age-matched controls. Both gene variants have earlier been associated with either cardiovascular disease or affective disorders, making them good candidates for a combined analysis. We found a significant increase in the Gbeta3 T allele (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.17-2.2, P = 0.0035) and a marginal altered genotype distribution of the ACE ID polymorphism with decrease in the II genotypes (chi(2) = 6.43, df=3, P = 0.04) in the patients' group. Analysing the data for both genes we found that the combined actions of ACE and Gbeta3 genotypes accumulate in carriers of the ACE D allele (ID and DD) and Gbeta3 TT homozygotes with ID/DD-TT carriers showing a more than five-fold increase in risk for major depression (crude OR = 5.83, 95% CI 1.99-17.08, P = 0.0002). As our study was carried out with depressive patients without serious cardiac impairment at the time of the investigation, we are presently unable to predict whether this combined action of the ACE ID/DD-Gbeta3 TT genotype is increasing the risk for both disorders. Nevertheless our study reports for the first time that the same allelic combination of two genes that have been shown to increase the risk for myocardial infarction (Naber et al, 2000) increase the vulnerability for depressive disorder.     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与血管性痴呆发病关系的研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因多态性与血管性痴呆(VD)的相关性。方法　采用 聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术,检测94例VD患者(VD组)、60例原发性高血压患者(EH组)及60名健康成人 (NC组)的ACE基因型及等位基因的频率,并进行比较分析。结果　有关DD型及D等位基因频率组间比较 结果:(1)VD组比NC组明显增高(均P<0.01)。(2)脑卒中后VD患者高于非脑卒中后VD患者(由于病例 数相差太大,未进行统计学分析)。(3)VD伴EH者高于VD不伴EH者(均P<0.05)。(4)VD的程度与 ACE基因型的分布无关。结论　ACE基因I/D多态性与VD有一定的相关性;DD型及D等位基因可能是 VD的危险因素。     

Association of Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion(I)/deletion (D) genotype in Alzheimer's disease patients of north Indian population

Several lines of evidence support for the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Most human genetic studies have focussed on ACE insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism and have yielded conflicting results. We have evaluated the association of ACE polymorphism with serum ACE activity in 95 AD patients and 110 healthy controls from north Indian population. In Alzheimer's patients a higher frequency of D allele was detected (I/D ratio 0.53:0.47) compared with the control group (I/D ratio 0.54:0.45), the difference being not statistically significant (p > .05). AD patients were found to be more homozygous for the D allele (26.3%) compared with controls (20.8%). The observed genotype distribution was in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We observed that the D/D genotype is more in patients with a higher serum ACE activity. The D allele and the D/D genotype in AD patients may influence increased risk of cognitive impairment.     

高血压性脑出血与血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性及血清水平关系的研究

目的：探讨原发性高血压（EH）,高血压性脑出血（CH）与血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因I／D多态性及血清ACE水平的相互关系。方法：对正常人（NC组）29例,EH组28例和CH组31例提取白细胞DNA,检测ACE基因型,等位基因和血清水平。结果：88例中不同ACE基因型血清ACE水平有显著性差异（DD＞ID＞II,P＜0．01）,EH组DD基因及D基因频率与NC组比较无显著性差异（P＜0．05）,CH组血清ACE水平和D基因频率显著高于NC组及EH组（P＜0．01）,其DD型的血清ACE水平也高于后二者（P＜0．05）,结论：ACE基因多态性及其血清水平与EH无关,而与CH呈正相关,D基因可能为高血压病患者脑出血发病的相对危险因素。     

Clinical features of antibody-induced complete secondary failure of botulinum toxin therapy

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) may play a role in cognition and memory. A recent study found that a 287-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, this finding has not been replicated by all studies. These discrepancies may be due to the difference in ethnic background. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of such an association in 173 AD patients and 286 normal controls from a Chinese population. We found that there is an increased frequency of the ACE I allele in AD patients and the odds ratio for bearers of the I allele was 2.88. Our findings further support previous reports of an association between ACE polymorphism and AD. The implication of the ACE I/D polymorphism in the pathogenesis of AD warrants further exploration.     

No association of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene C-270T polymorphism with schizophrenia

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates a variety of neuromodulatory processes during development, as well as in adulthood. It has been proposed as a risk factor for schizophrenia. We have investigated a possible association between schizophrenia and the C-270T polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene in 397 schizophrenic patients and 380 control subjects. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was made for each patient by at least two psychiatrists, using DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria in structured clinical interviews for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID). No association was found between schizophrenia and the analyzed polymorphism, for either genotype or allele distribution (for genotype: p=0.513, for alleles: p=0.812). Differences were not statistically significant when analyzed separately by sex. For males, the differences for genotype distribution and allele frequency were p=0.078 and p=0.162 respectively and for females: p=0.441 and p=0.315. Thus, our data indicate that variations in the BDNF gene are unlikely to be an important factor in susceptibility to schizophrenia.     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压腔隙性脑梗死关联性的研究

目的 研究血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因插入／缺失（I／D）多态性与高血压腔隙性脑梗死的关系。方法 （1）应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）方法扩增50例正常人、49例高血压无并发症患、30例高血压腔隙性脑梗死患的ACE基因上287Bp片段，根据插入（I）或／缺失（D）来判断其多态性。（2）用CT或MRI诊断腔隙性脑梗死。结果 （1）腔隙性脑梗死组与健康对照组相比，其D等位基因及DD基因型显升高。微量蛋白尿组与健康对照组相比，其D等位基因及DD基因型显升高。（2）腔隙性脑梗死组与高血压无并发症组相比，其D等位基因及DD基因型显升高。（3）高血压无并发症组与健康对照组相比，ACE基因型和等位基因频率无显性差异。结论 ACE基因多态性与高血压腔隙性脑梗死患有关联性，DD基因型提示可能与高血压腔隙性脑梗死有关。