Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism modulates coronary release of tissue plasminogen activator in response to bradykinin.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE) genotype and endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotor and fibrinolytic activity. The ACE DD genotype has been reported to be a risk factor for myocardial infarction. However, the mechanism is unknown. The fibrinolytic and renin-angiotensin systems are linked via ACE at the vascular beds. We studied 73 patients (II: n=24; ID: n=37; DD: n=12) who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Graded doses of bradykinin (BK) (0.2, 0.6, 2.0 microg/min) and acetylcholine (30,100 microg/min) were administered into the left coronary artery. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was evaluated by measuring Doppler flow velocity. Blood samples were taken from the aorta (Ao) and the coronary sinus (CS). Coronary release of tPA antigen was determined as a CS-Ao gradientXCBFX[(100-hematocrit) / 100]. ACE genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction. The ACE genotype did not appear to affect coronary macro- and microvascular responses induced by BK or acetylcholine. Coronary tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) release induced by BK was depressed in subjects with the ACE DD genotype. ACE levels in the DD genotype were significantly higher than those in the ID or II genotype. In all of the subjects, there was a significant negative correlation between the serum level of ACE activity and net coronary tPA release in response to BK at 0.6 microg/min. In conclusions, the DD genotype of the ACE gene impairs the coronary release of tPA induced by BK.     

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 Levels in Subjects with Cerebral Infarction

It has been suggested that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, but its relation to cerebral infarction is still controversial. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is also a predictor of risk of atherothrombotic disease. In this study we investigated the association of the ACE gene polymorphism and plasma PAI-1 levels in subjects with cerebral infarction. We evaluated the genotype of the ACE gene in 26 subjects with and 28 subjects without a history of ischemic stroke. The ACE genotype was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction. Plasma PAI-1 antigen levels were measured by ELISA. There were no differences in accepted risk factors between the groups with or without cerebral infarction. However, the frequency of the D allele was significantly higher in subjects with cerebral infarction (0.63) than in those without infarction (0.39) (² = 6.306, P = 0.012). The frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene was also significantly higher in subjects with than in those without cerebral infarction (DD: 46.2%, ID: 34.6%, II: 19.2% vs. DD: 14.3%, ID: 50.0%, II: 35.7%, ² = 6.689, P = 0.035). Plasma PAI-1 levels were not significantly different between groups with and without cerebral infarction. There was no association between the ACE genotype and PAI-1 levels. The DD genotype of the ACE gene is associated with cerebral infarction, which is independent of plasma PAI-1 level.     

Lack of association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen levels in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study.

Experimental and clinical research supports a direct link between activation of the renin-angiotensin system and production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primary physiologic inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator. Several studies have reported higher PAI-1 levels in individuals carrying the deletion (D) allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. We investigated the association between ACE genotypes and plasma PAI-1 levels in a family study of 577 women and 428 men from four US communities. Participants were between 25 and 84 years of age without evidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Mean geometric plasma PAI-1 levels adjusted for ethnicity were 17.4, 17.9, and 18.1 ng/ml in participants with the DD, insertion-deletion (ID), and II genotypes, respectively (P = 0.89 for difference). We found no associations between ACE I/D genotypes and plasma PAI-1 antigen concentrations in a subset of participants without major CHD risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, smoking, diabetes) or in a small sample of African-Americans. Our findings suggest that the ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism has relatively little, if any, influence on circulating PAI-1 levels in the population at large.     

氯沙坦和阿替洛尔对高血压患者纤溶系统及血浆血管性血友病因子的作用比较

目的比较血管紧张素受体拮抗剂(ARB)氯沙坦和β受体阻滞剂阿替洛尔对原发性高血压患者纤溶系统及血浆血管性血友病因子(vWF)的影响。方法轻中度原发性高血压患者60例随机分成氯沙坦组和阿替洛尔组(每组30例),分别给予氯沙坦50mg/(次.d)或阿替洛尔50mg/(次.d),共治疗8周。每4周随访1次,4周时血压如不达标(BP<140/90mmHg)则加用双氢克尿噻12.5mg/(次.d)。治疗前后行血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物(tPA)及纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂1(PAI-1)检测,并计算PAI-1/tPA作为纤溶参数,同时测定血浆vWF的含量。结果两组的基线血压等一般情况具有可比性。治疗4周及8周时两组血压均较治疗前显著下降,组间比较无差异。同治疗前相比,氯沙坦组治疗8周时血浆PAI-1和vWF水平下降(P值分别<0.05及<0.01),PAI-1/tPA也有显著下降(P<0.05),而tPA则无显著变化(P>0.05);阿替洛尔组治疗8周时血浆PAI-1和vWF水平及PAI-1/tPA均无显著变化,而tPA则有所上升(P<0.05)。治疗后血浆vWF两组间比较,差异有非常显著意义。结论氯沙坦治疗能改善原发性高血压患者的纤溶系统并降低血浆vWF,而阿替洛尔则未见有此作用。     

血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性对血清血管紧张素转化酶水平及血脂的影响

为探讨血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性对本地人群高血压患者和正常人血清血管紧张素转化酶及血脂水平的影响,采用聚合酶链反应技术,对118例高血压患者和98例正常人的血管紧张素转化酶基因插入/缺失多态性进行分型,并检测血清血管祭张素转化酶活性及血脂含量。结果发现,高血压组血管紧张素转化酶三种基因型(缺失纯合子型、插入纯合子型和杂合子型)及插入/缺失等位基因的频率与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(X2=0.468,P=0.791;X2=0.379,P=0.538)。血清血管紧张素转化酶活性在三种基因型之间差异有显著性意义(F=17.107,P=0.000)。高血压组总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白(a)高于正常对照组(P<0.05);高血压组三种基因型之间血脂各指标含量及正常对照组三种基因型之间总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和载脂蛋白B含量差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。此结果提示,血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性与血清血管肾张素转化酶活性及血脂含量有关,缺失纯合子型高血压患者血清血管紧张素转化酶活性最高且易患高脂血症。     

Effects of perindopril treatment on hemostatic function in patients with essential hypertension in relation to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene polymorphisms

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An imbalance in the hemostatic system is a frequent finding in untreated essential hypertension (HT), and it has been shown that treatment with angiotensin converting entyme (ACE) inhibitors improves hemostatic function. In order to elucidate the role of genetic factors, we studied hemostasis in patients with untreated and treated HT and correlated the results with ACE I/D and plasminogen activator enhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G gene polymorphisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-three males with HT (mean age 31.7 +/- 6.8 years) were compared with 34 age and gender-matched controls. All of the patients were treated with perindopril (4 mg/day) and, after one and six months of therapy, their levels of plasma fibrinogen (Fb), t-PA antigen, PAI-1 antigen, von Willebrand factor (vWF), ACE activity and blood pressure were measured. ACE and PAI-1 genotypes were identified by means of the polymerase chain reaction on DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Untreated patients had significantly higher levels of Fb, PAI-1 (p < 0.01) and t-PA (p < 0.05) regardless of their ACE or PAI-1 genotypes. Perindopril reduced blood pressure regardless of ACE or PAI-1 genotype (p < 0.001). ACE II homozygotes showed the greatest decrease in ACE activity (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction in Fb levels (p < 0.05) after just one month of treatment. Analysis of the group as a whole revealed an increase in t-PA antigen levels after six months of treatment, regardless of ACE or PAI-1 genotype (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that essential hypertension predisposes to the procoagulant state characterized by hyperfibrinogenemia and hypofibrinolysis. Perindopril reduced fibrinogen levels in ACE II homozygotes due to its more potent inhibitory action on the renin-angiotensin system in such patients. It improved fibrinolysis by increasing t-PA levels regardless of ACE and PAI-1 genotype.     

Association of angiotensin converting enzyme and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter gene polymorphisms with features of the insulin resistance syndrome in patients with premature coronary heart disease.

Polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (insertion/deletion (I/D) in intron 16) and of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (promoter 4G/5G) genes have been linked with coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or myocardial infarction (MI). We studied the association of polymorphisms in these genes with CHD with linkage and association analyses in 118 families with premature and severe CHD and in 110 healthy controls. In linkage analysis there was no evidence for a linkage of the ACE or PAI-1 loci with CHD. However, in quantitative linkage analysis the ACE locus was linked with fasting glucose (P=0. 047) and fasting free fatty acid levels (P=0.029). In association analysis the ACE genotype frequencies of probands with CHD did not differ from those of healthy controls. Normoglycemic probands with MI and with the ACE polymorphism DD genotype had characteristics of the insulin resistance syndrome. They had higher levels of 1-h glucose (P=0.008) and 2-h free fatty acids (P=0.011) in an oral glucose tolerance test and higher levels of total (P=0.005) and very-low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (P=0.006) than probands with the ID or the II genotypes. The PAI-1 gene polymorphism was not associated with any of the variables of glucose or lipid metabolism. In conclusion, the ACE and PAI-1 gene polymorphisms are not linked with early-onset CHD. However, the ACE gene polymorphism is associated with features of the insulin resistance syndrome.     

持续气道正压通气对OSAHS患者血管内皮细胞及纤溶系统的影响

为探讨经鼻持续气道正压通气（nCPAP)治疗前后阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）患者血管内皮细胞及纤溶系统的变化及临床意义，选择年龄，性别，体重指数（BMI）无明显差异的OSAHS患者38例和健康者对照组32例，用多导睡眠呼吸监测仪进行监测，以凝固法测定纤维蛋白原（Fg），发色底物法测组织纤溶酶原激活物活性（tPA：A）、纤溶酶原激活物抑制物－1活性（PAI－1：A），酶联免疫法测vonWillebrand因子（vWF)、组织纤溶酶原激活物抗原（tPA:Ag）、纤溶酶原含量（PLg:Ag)和纤溶酶原激活物抑制物－1含量（PAI－1：Ag）。结果OSAHS组与对照组比较，vWF,Fg,tPA:Ag、PAI－1：A明显升高（P分别＜0．01，0．001，0．001，0．01），PLg:Ag、tPA:A、tPA:Ag、最低血氧饱和度（SaO2low)明显降低（P分别＜0．01，0．001，0．001，0．01).nCPAP治疗后与治疗前比较，vWF,Fg,PAI-1:Ag,PAI-1:A明显降低（P分别＜0．05，0．01，0．01，0．01），PLg:Ag,tPA:A,tPA:Ag，最低SaO2明显升高（P分别＜0．05，0．001，0．001，0．01）。提示OSAHS患者血管内皮细胞损伤，凝血功能增强，纤溶系统功能减弱;nCPAP治疗能部分纠正各指标的异常。     

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme DD genotype with 24-h blood pressure abnormalities in normoalbuminuric children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To assess the distribution of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and to evaluate the association between ACE genotype and blood pressure (BP). METHODS: ACE genotypes were assessed in 124 normoalbuminuric, clinically normotensive Type 1 diabetic children and adolescents and 120 non-diabetic controls using polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was undertaken in all patients. RESULTS: ACE genotypes distributed in patients as follows: 34 (27%) DD, 57 (46%) ID, 33 (27%) II. The distribution was similar in the control group: DD in 28% (33), ID in 45% (54), and II in 27% (33). Patients with DD genotype had higher mean 24-h diastolic BP (73.8 +/- 6.2 vs. 70.2 +/- 5.0 and 69.7 +/- 6.3 mmHg; P = 0.005) and lower diurnal variation in BP (11.8 +/- 4.6 vs. 14.2 +/- 4.2 and 14.8 +/- 4.3%; P = 0.011) compared with ID and II groups. Four patients in the DD group proved to be non-dipper compared with one in the ID and none in the II group (P = 0.026). Twenty-four-hour diastolic blood pressure was independently predictive for AER as dependent variable in the DD genotype patient group (r(2) = 0.12, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes do not differ from the non-diabetic population regarding the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene. ACE gene polymorphism is associated with BP abnormalities in normotensive and normoalbuminuric children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with plasma antigen levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in healthy Japanese population.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has a central role in the regulation of the fibrinolytic enzyme system. An elevated plasma PAI-1 level is associated with thrombotic disorders. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the renin-angiotensin system is involved in the regulation of PAI-1. A 287-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the gene-encoding angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with cardiovascular disorders. We evaluated the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and plasma PAI-1 antigen levels in 110 healthy Japanese male subjects. Subjects with the D-allele of the gene-encoding ACE had higher levels of PAI-1 (26.3 +/- 14.7 ng/ml, mean +/- standard deviation) compared with those without (21.0 +/- 12.0; P = 0.0491). A multiple linear regression model with independent variables (age, body-mass index, total cholesterol level, triglyceride level, ACE I/D genotype, and PAI-1 genotype due to a single guanine I/D polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene) demonstrated that the triglyceride level (P = 0.0059) and ACE I/D genotype (P = 0.0372) were independent predictors of plasma PAI-1 antigen levels in a subset of the subjects without diabetes mellitus that were not taking lipid-lowering drugs. These findings suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism is a genetic factor for the regulation of plasma PAI-1 antigen levels in the healthy Japanese population.     

Impact of the therapy by renin-angiotensin system targeting antihypertensive agents perindopril versus telmisartan on prothrombotic state in essential hypertension

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of therapy by perindopril or telmisartan on endothelial/platelet function and on coagulation/fibrinolysis in 20 and 16 hypertensive patients, respectively. The measurements were carried out before and after 1 month of therapy. Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were reduced (P<0.001) or normalized due to each therapy. Plasma thrombomodulin (TM) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) as indicators of endothelial dysfunction, plasma beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), soluble P-selectin (sPsel) and soluble glycoprotein V (sGpV) as indicators of in vivo platelet activation, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) antigen and tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen as markers of fibrinolytic activity, soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) as a new marker of hypercoagulation and fibrinogen level as a known risk factor for vascular changes were investigated. A decrease of plasma vWF, sPsel, sGpV, PAI-1 and tPA antigen level (P<0.05, respectively) after 1 month of therapy by perindopril was observed. On the other hand, a decrease of plasma sEPCR and fibrinogen level (P<0.05, respectively) after 1 month of therapy by telmisartan was found. We failed to find changes of plasma TM, betaTG and PF4 due to any therapy investigated. The additional beneficial 'antithrombotic' effects of the renin-angiotensin system targeting agents (vasculoprotective, anti-platelet and profibrinolytic effects of perindopril and anticoagulant/rheological effects of telmisartan) may be important in terms of the favourable role of antihypertensive drugs in cardiovascular morbidity.     

The angiotensin-converting-enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is not a risk factor for peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND: An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the gene for angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) is associated with ACE plasma levels and activity. Conflicting results have been reported about the relevance of this polymorphism for atherosclerotic vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of this polymorphism for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: The study was designed as a case-control study including 522 patients with documented PAD and 522 sex- and age-matched controls. ACE genotype was determined by size-analysis of polymerase chain reaction products. RESULTS: ACE genotype frequencies were similar between patients (II: 23.4%; ID: 44.8%; DD: 31.8%) and controls (II: 23.8%; ID: 48.3%; DD: 27.9%, P=0.37). The adjusted odds ratio of carriers of the DD genotype for PAD was 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.95-1.75). The polymorphism was furthermore not associated with age at onset of PAD (P=0.56), Fontaine stage of the disease (P=0.68) or ankle/brachial index of patients (P=0.86). CONCLUSION: The ACE I/D polymorphism is not a significant risk factor for PAD.     

Association of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with chronic heart failure in Chinese Han patients

BACKGROUND: An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is present in the 16th intron of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and is associated with serum and tissue ACE level. Some studies have shown that the DD genotype is associated with some cardiovascular diseases; while ACE polymorphism's effect on chronic heart failure (CHF) remains uncertain. AIM: To investigate the association of the ACE gene I/D polymorphism with CHF in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: The genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction in 102 normal controls and in 79 patients with CHF. Plasma angiotensin (Ang) levels were assessed by radio-immunity assay. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameters (LVDD) and left ventricular ejection fractions were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: The ACE gene polymorphism distribution was similar in patients and control subjects. However, ACE gene DD polymorphism was associated with a more severe condition, greater LVDD [mm: DD: 71+/-7, ID: 62+/-5, II: 60+/-5, P<0.001 DD vs. ID, P<0.001 DD vs. II] and higher plasma Ang II level [pg/ml DD: 92+/-19, ID: 79+/-21, II: 65+/-17 P<0.05 DD vs. ID, P<0.001 DD vs. II]. CONCLUSION: In Chinese Han patients with CHF, ACE gene DD polymorphism might be a marker of a more severe condition, and a higher level of activation of the renin-angiotensin system.     

Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

PURPOSE: An insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. The present study examined polymorphisms of the ACE gene in patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy who were participants in a long-term trial of therapy with an ACE inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ACE inhibitor therapy was administered for >2 years to 54 patients with hypertension who had moderate or severe left ventricular hypertrophy. Cardiac dimensions were monitored by echocardiography before the initiation of therapy and after 1 and 2 years of treatment. Serum ACE activity and plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide, a marker for left ventricular hypertrophy, were also monitored. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had the II genotype for the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene, 19 had the ID genotype, and 17 had the DD genotype. Baseline (mean +/- SD) serum ACE activity was significantly greater (P <0.05) in the DD (18 +/- 7 IU/L) group than in the II (7 +/- 4 IU/L) or ID (12 +/- 6 IU/L) groups. ACE inhibitor therapy was effective in controlling blood pressure, and it reduced posterior and septal wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration in all three groups. Despite similar blood pressure reductions, after 2 years, mean (+/- SD) regression in posterior wall thickness was significantly less (P <0.05) in the DD group (-9% +/- 5%) than in the ID (-21% +/- 7%) and II (-21% +/- 9%) groups. Similar results were seen for the reductions in brain natriuretic peptide levels. The magnitudes of regression of septal wall thickness and left ventricular mass index during therapy were less in the DD group than the II group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients with the DD genotype are less likely to have regression of left ventricular hypertrophy when treated with ACE inhibitors than are patients with other ACE genotypes.     

Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism on the right ventricular myocardial performance index in patients with a first acute anterior myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The genetic influence on the myocardial performance index is uncertain, so the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI) after a first acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects were 116 patients with a first acute anterior MI. Based on the polymorphism of the ACE gene, they were classified into 3 groups: deletion/deletion (DD) genotype (group 1, n=45), insertion/deletion (ID) genotype (group 2, n=58), insertion/insertion (II) genotype (group 3, n=13). Echocardiograms were used to determine the RVMPI, left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI), tricuspid E/A, tricuspid deceleration time and the left ventricular diameter diastolic and diameter systolic (LVDd and LVDs). RVMPI and LVMPI were significantly higher in the ACE DD group. Tricuspid E/A, DT, LVDd and LVDs showed no differences among the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: The ID polymorphism of the ACE gene may affect RVMPI and LVMPI after a first acute anterior MI.     

氯沙坦和依那普利对心肌梗死后纤溶-凝血功能的影响

目的　探讨氯沙坦和依那普利对急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者纤溶 凝血功能的影响。方法　将 41例AMI患者随机分为氯沙坦组、依那普利组和对照组 ,以发色底物法和ELISA法测定三组患者入院即刻、发病 2周、2个月的血浆PAI 1活性、纤溶酶原激活物 (tPA)抗原水平和血管血友病病因子(vWF)含量。结果　与对照组相比 ,氯沙坦组 2周和 2个月时的PAI 1活性分别减低 2 2 % (P <0 0 1)和 18% (P <0 0 5 ) ,tPA抗原水平分别减低 32 % (P <0 0 1)和 2 5 % (P <0 0 5 ) ;依那普利组相应分别减低 2 8% (P <0 0 1)和 2 1% (P <0 0 5 ) ,tPA抗原水平分别减低 38% (P <0 0 1)和 2 9% (P <0 0 5 ) ;两个治疗组之间差异无显著性。两种药物对vWF含量均无影响。结论　氯沙坦和依那普利可改善心肌梗死后的纤溶功能 ,长期应用这两种药物可能会降低心肌梗死后发生急性心脏事件的危险。     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and vascular manifestations in Korean patients with SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory multisystem disease of unknown etiology with immunologic aberrations. Many studies have shown that genetic and environmental factors are implicated in the development of SLE. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) affects various immune phenomena through the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kininogen systems by creating angiotensin II and inactivating bradykinin. We investigated the correlation between insertion/ deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and the clinical manifestations of SLE, especially vascular involvement and lupus nephritis. Two-hundred and eleven Korean patients fulfilling the ACR criteria and 114 healthy subjects were enrolled. The ACE genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA from peripheral blood. The nephritis patients were classified by the WHO classification. In addition, the activity and chronicity index were used to assess the severity of renal involvement. We evaluated vascular involvement by the presence or absence of hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon, livedo reticularis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and the SLICC/ACR Damage Index. The gene frequency of ACE gene polymorphism was as follows: II 39 vs 34%, ID 41 vs 50%, DD 20 vs 16% in SLE patients and controls, respectively. There was no difference in genotype frequency between both groups. There were no significant differences between the distribution of ACE gene genotypes and lupus nephritis and its related parameters, including WHO classification, activity index, chronicity index, renal dysfunction and amount of 24 h urinary protein. The ACE genotypes and alleles did not affect the presence of vascular manifestations evaluated, but the frequency of DD genotype was significantly low in SLE patients with Raynaud's phenomenon compared to those without Raynaud's phenomenon (P = 0.002 for ACE ID vs DD and II, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.43-5.09; P=0.023 for ACE DD vs ID and II, OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.89). Also skewing from DD to II genotype was noted in patients with anti-Sm antibody compared to those without anti-Sm antibody (P = 0.025 for ACE DD vs ID and II, OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05-0.93). The onset age of serositis was older in patients with the ID genotype than the others (ID= 34.5+/-10.8, II + DD = 25.6+/-10.2, P= 0.002). Also the onset age of malar rash was older in patients with II genotype than the others (II=26.7+/-8.4, ID+DD=21.3+/-9.0; P=0.021). The patients with I allele showed a significantly higher frequency of serositis (P = 0.022). Taken together, the I/D polymorphisms of ACE gene did not affect susceptibility of SLE, lupus nephritis and the vascular manifestations, including Raynaud's phenomenon, in Korean SLE patients, although the DD genotype was negatively associated with Raynaud's phenomenon among SLE patients. However, it would be valuable to evaluate the role of other genes potentially related to vascular events, such as endothelin, nitric oxide or angiotensin II receptor as well as ACE gene.     

Lower mortality in patients with the DD genotype of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been associated with different serum ACE concentrations and cardiac ACE activity. We assessed whether the ACE gene I/D polymorphism influenced cardiac mortality in Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ACE gene I/D polymorphism was determined in 441 consecutive patients with a first myocardial infarction.There were 69 patients (16%) with the DD genotype, 194 patients (44%) with the ID genotype, and 178 patients (40%) with the II genotype. During a mean follow-up of 9.4 months, there were 49 cardiac deaths (DD, n = 4; ID, n = 26; II, n = 19).The DD genotype was significantly associated with a lower mortality than the other genotypes (p = 0.0363) by Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, site of myocardial infarction, Killip functional class, reperfusion therapy during acute phase, ACE inhibitor use, and beta-blocker use. CONCLUSIONS: In a selected cohort of Japanese patients, the DD genotype was associated with a significantly lower cardiac mortality after a first myocardial infarction.     

Relationship between polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the response to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in hypertensive patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphism of the anglotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the blood pressure response to ACE inhibition in a hypertensive cohort. Imidapril (5-10 mg/day) or benazepril (10-20 mg/day) was administered for 6 weeks to 517 essential hypertensives. ACE gene polymorphism was examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the patients were classified as having the 190-bp deletion homozygous (DD) genotype, the 490-bp insertion homozygous (II) genotype, or the 490-bp insertion, 190-bp deletion heterozygous (ID) genotype. The achieved change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was analyzed for association with genotypes at the ACE gene locus. The DD genotype was observed in 132 patients (25.5%), the ID genotype in 255 patients (49.3%), and the II genotype in 130 patients (25.2%). The SBP reductions in the patients with the DD genotype, II genotype, and ID genotype were -14.5 +/- 12.7 mmHg, -14.3 +/- 13.1 mmHg and -14.0 +/- 12.2 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.94). The DBP reductions in the patients with the DD genotype, II genotype, and ID genotype were -8.7 +/- 7.4 mmHg, -8.7 +/- 7.7 mmHg and -8.5 +/- 6.7 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.96). There was no significant association between the ACE gene polymorphisms and the response to ACE inhibition. These results suggest that ACE genotype does not predict the blood pressure-lowering response to antihypertensive treatment with ACE inhibition.     

Deletion Polymorphism of the Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Gene Associates with Increased Risk for Late Potentials in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Background: The pathogenesis of the occurrence of late potentials (LP) has not been fully elucidated. Deletion polymorphism in the Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene may relate the myocarclial remodeling after the myocardial infarction (Ml). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of ACE gene polymorphism for the occurrence of LPs after Ml. Methods: A 287 base pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction and LPs were also examined by signal-averaged EGC in 136 patients with Ml. Polymorphism of the ACE gene was characterized by three genotypes: II, ID, and DD. Signal-averaged ECG were recorded using X, Y, Z leads and LP were defined by time-domain analysis as low amplitude potentials exceeding 20 ms after the QRS-end and filtered QRS >115 ms. Results: Positive LPs were noted in 40 of 136 patients with Ml. No differences could be detected between patients with LP-positive and LP-negative for the location of Ml, the success rate of reperfusion therapy, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (126 ± 40 vs 113 ± 43 mL/m²). In patients with LP-positive compared with those in LP-negative, filtered QRS was significantly higher (135 ± 8 vs 107 ± 8 ms), left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (47 ± 12 vs 54%± 11 %), and peak was higher (3602 ± 2928 vs 2614 ± 2360 IU/L). The frequency of ACE/DD genotype was associated with patients with LP-positive (18 of DD, 18 of ID, and 4 of II for patients with LP-positive, while 25 of DD, 42 of ID, and 29 of II for patients with LP-negative). In the study population, the ACE / DD genotype was associated with patients with LP-positive when compared with the ACE ID & II genotype (x²= 4.7, P = 0.03). Conclusion: ACE/DD genotype of the ACE gene may be associated with the occurrence of LP after Ml.