血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与肝肾综合征相关研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素转换酶 (ACE)基因插入 /缺失 (I/ D)多态性与失代偿性肝硬化并发肝肾综合征 (HRS)之间的关系。方法　应用聚合酶链反应方法扩增 5 6例失代偿性肝硬化并发 HRS患者及 6 0例正常对照组 ACE基因上 DNA片断 ,根据 I/ D判断其多态性 ;同时各例均采血测丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶、血清肌酐 (SCr)及尿素氮 (BU N)等指标 ,并测定肾小球滤过率 (GFR) ,比较不同基因型间上述指标的差异显著性。结果　 HRS患者各基因型及等位基因频率与对照组间差异均无显著性 (P均 >0 .0 5 ) ;I等位基因频率均显著高于 D等位基因频率 (P均 <0 .0 1)。正常对照组中 3种基因型频率间差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5 ) ;HRS组中 II基因型频率显著高于 ID型及 DD型 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。 II基因型的 BU N与 SCr均显著高于 ID型及 DD型(P均 <0 .0 5 ) ,GFR显著低于 ID型及 DD型 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。结论　 ACE基因多态性与失代偿性肝硬化并发HRS的发生率有关 ,II基因型可能为失代偿性肝硬化易并发 HRS的遗传学方面因素 ;失代偿性肝硬化并发HRS患者中 ,II基因型个体的肾功能衰竭程度重于 ID型及 DD型。     

血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性与老年高血压及合并糖尿病的相关性研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)基因插入/缺失(I/D)多态性与老年人原发性高血压及合并糖尿病患者的关系.方法 应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术对60名正常对照组,105例老年高血压患者,38例老年高血压合并糖尿病患者进行ACE基因I/D多态性检测.结果 老年高血压患者中的DD基因型频率(0.352)和等位基因频率(0.543),老年高血压合并糖尿病患者的DD基因型频率(0.421)和等位基因频率(0.579)均明显高于正常对照组的0.133和0.250,而老年高血压组与老年高血压合并糖尿病组患者的DD基因型频率和D等位基因频率之间的差别无显著性.结论 ACE基因缺失型是老年高血压的危险因素,但ACE基因缺失不是糖尿病的危险因素之一.     

蒙古族人群血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压的关系

背景有关血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压关系的研究已有报道,但在蒙古族人群中尚不十分清楚.蒙古族是高血压患病率较高的民族,因此有必要探讨蒙古族人群中血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压的关系.目的探讨蒙古族人群血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压的关系.设计采用现况调查的方法.地点和对象选择内蒙古自治区通辽市科左后旗朝鲁吐苏木作为本研究现场,所有研究对象均为在此长期居住的蒙古族居民.共获得有高血压家族史的高血压者51例、血压正常者32例和没有高血压家族史的高血压者64例、血压正常者85例.干预应用聚合酶链式反应检测血管紧张素转换酶基因的插入/缺失多态性.主要观察指标血管紧张素转换酶多态性基因型频率和I、D等位基因频率.结果血管紧张素转换酶基因的三种基因型(II,ID,DD)在4组人群间的分布差异无显著性意义(P＞0.1).在4组人群中均表现出ID基因型频率最高,其次为Ⅱ基因型,DD基因型频率最低.I,D等位基因在4组人群间的分布也差异无显著性意义(P＞0.1).在4组人群中I等位基因频率均高于D等位基因频率.结论血管紧张素转换酶基因I/D多态性与蒙古族高血压的发生无关联.     

血管紧张素转换酶及血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因多态性与乙型肝炎肝硬化的关系

目的研究血管紧张素转换酶（angiotensin-converting enzyme,ACE）及血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体（angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor,AT1R）基因多态性与乙型肝炎肝硬化之间的关联及其在乙型肝炎肝硬化的发生、发展中的作用。方法采用聚合酶链反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）及限制性片段长度多态性分析（restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP）检测技术,对115例乙型肝炎肝硬化患者和136例正常人群中的ACE（第16个intronI／D基因）ATlR（3＇-U TR 1166A／C）的基因多态性分布进行了检测。结果在ACE intron I／D基因多态性中各基因型在乙型肝炎肝硬化患者与正常人群中的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;在乙型肝炎肝硬化患者中ACEI／D基因型的分布在有无腹水组间的差异有统计学意义,有腹水组ACED／D基因型的频率高于无腹水组（27．8％VS11．6％,Pd0．05）,两组ACE的D基因频率分布差异有统计学意义（47．2％VS31．4％,P〈0．05）;在乙型肝炎肝硬化患者中随着Child-Pauph分级的增高D／D基因型的比例逐渐增大（P〈0．05）;A、B、C3级中D基因频率分布差异有统计学意义（Pd0．05）。AT1R 1166A／C基因多态性在乙型肝炎肝硬化患者和正常人群中的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论ACE的intron D／D基因型对于乙型肝炎肝硬化是不利因素,它可能与肝硬化患者腹水的形成相关,并可促进肝硬化的进展;而AT1R的1166A／C基因位点的变异尚未显示其与肝硬化有关。     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性及血清水平与脑梗死的关系

目的研究血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因多态性及血清ACE水平与脑梗死之间的相互关系及可能机制。方法对84例脑梗死患者和74例健康对照者用聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术和琼脂糖凝胶电泳法分别进行ACE基因插入／缺失（I／D）多态性测定。分析比较脑梗死组与健康对照组之间ACE基因多态性的分布差异。结果脑梗死组DD基因型频率（50％）和D等位基因频率（64％）与健康对照组（分别为28％、4600）比较增高,差异有统计学意义（分别为P〈0．01,P〈0．05）。ACE基因多态性与血清ACE水平有关,ACE水平依次为：DD型〉ID型〉Ⅱ型,三者相互之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论ACE基因多态性与血清ACE水平和脑梗死有关,其DD型基因和D等位基因是脑梗死的危险因素。     

The relationship between ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism and coronary artery disease with or without myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: Presence of the D allele or homozygosity for the deletion (D) allele of the angiotensicen-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been discussed as potent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). The D allele is associated with higher levels of circulating ACE and therefore may predispose one to cardiovascular damage. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study presented here was performed to investigate the association between the ACE genotype and ACE levels. The study group was comprised of 118 angiographically verified CAD patients. 65 patients were MI (+) and 53 patients were MI (-) in this group. A total of 70 healthy individuals were taken as controls. Genomic DNA of 188 subjects was extracted from whole blood. The polymerase chain reaction was used for ACE genotyping, and ACE levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The D allele was found to be significantly more frequent in patients with MI (+) compared with controls (P = 0.024). ACE levels were significantly higher in both MI (-) and MI (+) groups with CAD patients than in controls (P < 0.005). Plasma ACE level was higher in all three groups in the DD genotype compared to II genotype. In groups I and III, this was statistically significant (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that the I/D polymorphism in the gene for ACE is a genetic risk factor for CAD patients who have a history of MI. ACE insertion/deletion gene polymorphism is also associated with plasma ACE levels in CAD patients with a history of MI.     

肾素-血管紧张素系统基因多态性与冠状动脉血栓疾病

为了观察中国人群中肾素-血管紧张素系统基因多态性的分布特征，并分析这些基因多态性与冠状动脉血栓(CATD)疾病的相关性以及该基因多态性间的相互作用，采用直接聚合酶链式反应(PCR)和PCR-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR—RFLP)方法对192例冠状动脉血栓疾病患者和110例对照组个体进行血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)、血管紧张素原(AGT)和血管紧张素II I型受体(AT1R)基因的基因多态性进行检测。结果表明：①在中国人群中，ACE基因各基因型分布分别为DD12．2％、ID43．9％和II43．9％；AGT基因各基因型分布为MM8．2％，MT36．7％和TT55．1％；AT1R基因各基因型分布分别为AA91．8％和AC8．2％。②冠状动脉血栓疾病组与对照组相比，上述3种基因多态性的分布均无明显差异。③同时携带AT1R—AC和AGT—TT基因型的个体，与AT1R—AA和AGT—TT基因型个体相比，罹患CATD的相对危险度达到3．517(95％C10．988—12．527)；与AC基因型和非TT基因型个体相比，罹患CATD的危险性可增加至15．000(95％CI 1．940—115．963)；在AT1R—AC基因型个体，等位基因D在CATD组和对照组的分布亦存在有明显的差异(P=0．017)。结论：我国人群ACE基因I／D多态性、AGT基因M235T多态性和ATlR基因A1166C多态性各基因型和等位基因的分布明显不同于西方人群；上述3种基因多态性不是我国人群冠状动脉血栓疾病或心肌梗塞的独立的危险因素。但AT1R基因AC基因型与AGT基因TT基因型、AT1R基因AC基因型和ACE基因等位基因D在罹患冠状动脉血栓疾病的危险性上有显著的协同作用。     

汉族人群血管紧张素转换酶基因插入/缺失(I/D)的遗传多态性

背景:血管紧张素转换酶是肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统的重要组成部分,血管紧张素转换酶基因第16内含子内存在一个287bp的Alu序列的插入/缺失(I/D)多态性,与心血管疾病、IgA肾病等疾病的发生具有一定的相关性。目的:分析汉族人群血管紧张素转换酶基因插入/缺失(I/D)多态性的分布,并与已知的其他种族人群进行比较。设计:以健康汉族人为观察对象的观察性实验。单位:江苏省临床免疫学重点实验室,苏州大学附属第一医院检验科,江苏大学医学技术学院检验系。对象:受检者为2005-12/2006-01苏州大学附属第一医院门诊健康体检者241名,男152名,女89名,平均年龄(27±8)岁,均为无血缘关系的苏州地区汉族人,经临床及实验室检查确认排除肝、肾、内分泌、心脑血管疾病。方法:应用聚合酶链反应检测了241名汉族健康体检者血管紧张素转换酶基因I/D多态性等位基因的基因型,并采用荧光标记末端终止法对基因型为D/D、I/I的PCR纯化产物进行DNA测序确认。主要观察指标:血管紧张素转换酶基因I/D基因型,等位基因频率以及与其他种族人群的比较。结果:241名受检者全部进入结果分析。①血管紧张素转换酶的基因型表现为缺失纯合子(DD)、插入纯合子(II)以及缺失和插入杂合子(DI),等位基因D较等位基因Ⅰ缺失一段287bp的核苷酸,即Alu序列。②II,ID,DD基因型频率分别为46.1%,41.5%,12.4%;等位基因I,D频率分别为66.8%,33.2%。③日本人与汉族人群血管紧张素转换酶基因型分布相似,均以II型最常见,DD型最少;欧美人群以ID居多,II型较少。汉族人群与日本人及欧美人群血管紧张素转换酶基因型频率的分布具有种族差异性。与其他各民族人群比较,汉族人群等位基因I显著高于上述各民族(χ2=105.55,P<0.01),等位基因D明显较低(χ2=87.54,P<0.01)。结论:血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性具有种族差异性。了解不同种族人群间血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性的遗传特点,是研究血管紧张素转换酶基因I/D多态性与疾病相关性的基础和前提。     

血管紧张素转化酶及血管紧张素Ⅱ-1型受体基因多态性与高血压相关性

目的 探讨血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)基因插入/缺失(I/D)多态性、血管紧张素Ⅱ-1型受体(AT1R)基因A1166C多态性与原发性高血压(EH)的相关性,以及多种危险因素与EH的关系.方法 选取125例健康者(对照组)和148例EH患者(EH组)作为研究对象作问卷调查、医学体检和血液生化项目检测,应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术检测研究对象ACE基因的I/D多态性;应用PCR、限制性内切酶酶切的方法检测AT1R基因A1166C多态性,并用Logistic回归筛选高血压的危险因素.结果 EH组和对照组的DD基因型频率和D等位基因频率差异均不显著.EH组的AC基因型频率23.0%,C等位基因频率11.5%,均显著高于对照组的12.8%和6.4%.EH组ACE基因DD型+AT1R基因AC型联合基因型频率7.4%,显著高于对照组的1.6%.多因素Logistic回归结果表明,EH的危险因素主要有BMI、EH家族史和DD+AC联合基因型.结论 ACE基因D等位基因可能与EH发病无关联;AT1R基因A1166C多态性可能是EH的重要遗传因素;DD+AC联合基因型对EH的发病有显著的联合促进作用.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and polyneuropathy in type 2 diabetes without macroalbuminuria

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism is thought to be a potent risk factor for nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetes. We investigated the association between polyneuropathy and gene polymorphisms of both the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) and angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T genes in 84 type 2 diabetic patients without macroalbuminuria (21 with polyneuropathy and 63 without). ACE genotype distribution did not differ significantly between patients with and without polyneuropathy, but the frequency of the I allele was significantly higher in those with polyneuropathy than in those without. In contrast, neither the genotype distribution nor the allele frequencies of the AGT gene differed between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis using a D-additive model, the D allele had a protective effect on polyneuropathy (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.88). A D-dominant model hypothesis also gave a significant OR (0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.90). ACE I/D polymorphism, but not AGT M235T polymorphism, may affect polyneuropathy development in type 2 diabetes without macroalbuminuria.     

Frequency of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Turkish type 2 diabetic patients

We aimed to investigate the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism, ACE activity and their associations with diabetic complications in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 143 patients and 133 controls were screened for ACE gene I/D polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction. Serum ACE activities were determined spectrophotometrically. There was no significant difference in the distribution of ACE I/D genotypes between patients and controls. The patients with DD genotype had a higher ACE activity than those with ID and II. Hypertensive diabetic patients with DD genotype had higher ACE activities than those with ID and II. There was no significant difference in the distribution of ACE I/D genotypes between patients with and without nephropathy, retinopathy and hypertension except for patients with and without neuropathy. In patients with DD genotype, creatinine clearance correlated with duration of diabetes. The grade of retinopathy was correlated with duration of diabetes in DD and ID genotypes. The highest ACE activity was measured in hypertensive diabetics with DD genotype. ID genotype was suggested to be a risk factor and II was suggested to be protective for diabetic neuropathy. The DD and ID genotypes might be a predictor for the development of retinopathy in relation to duration of diabetes.     

东莞市T2DM患者与健康人ACE基因多态性研究

目的研究血管紧张素转换酶基因插入（I）／缺失（D）多态性在东莞市T2DM患者与健康人中的分布。方法采用限制性片段长度多形态多聚酶链式反应（PCR—RFLP）技术对东莞市200例T2DM患者和93例健康者进行ACE基因内含子16插入／缺失（I／D）多态性检测。结果东莞市T2DM患者ACEDD、Ⅱ、ID基因型分布频率分别为8．5％、46．0％和45,5％．等位基因频率分别为I：68,8％、D：31．2％。健康对照组的频率分别为19．4％、35．5％和45,2％．等位基因频率分别为1：58,1％、D：41．9％。T2DM患者与健康对照组比较,I等位基因频率显著增高,而D等位基因频率显著降低（P％0,05）。结论ACE基因多态性是致T2DM的遗传危险因素之一。     

ACE 基因 I/D 多态性与动脉血栓性脑梗死的关联性研究

目的研究血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）基因I/D多态位点与动脉血栓性脑梗死的关联性及相关机制。方法选取动脉血栓性脑梗死患者112例和年龄、性别匹配的对照组180例,采用PCR-AFLP技术对ACE基因I/D位点进行分型。结果单因素分析提示病例组收缩压水平（138.1±19.7 mmHg）显著高于对照组（126.6±20.6 mmHg）（t=4.716,P<0.001）;病例组舒张压水平（88.9±10.1 mmHg）显著高于对照组（79.9±10.0 mmHg）（t=7.450,P<0.001）。病例组中ACE基因I/D位点D等位基因频率和DD基因型频率分布均显著高于对照组（等位基因：χ²=4.953,P=0.026; 基因型：χ²=6.303,P=0.043）。病例组和对照组中ACE基因I/D位点基因型DD携带者收缩压及舒张压水平显著高于基因型ID及II携带者。结论ACE基因I/D位点等位基因D可能是汉族人群动脉血栓性脑梗死遗传易感基因。等位基因D可能通过升高个体血压的机制导致动脉血栓性脑梗死发生。     

晚发性抑郁症与血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性关系研究

目的探讨晚发性抑郁症(LOD)与血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因第16内含子中Alu重复序列的插入/缺失(In-sertion/Deletion,I/D)多态性的关系。方法入组183例60~85岁老年人,晚发性抑郁症组(93例,下称LOD组)和正常对照组(90例,下称对照组),用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)法进行ACE基因I/D多态性分型。结果LOD组和对照组间基因型频率及等位基因频率分布差异无显著(χ2=0.241,P=0.886;χ2=0.127,P=0.722),各基因型亚型患者在年龄、性别、发病次数、病程、HAMD评分、有无精神病性症状、有无自杀企图间差异无显著(P均>0.05)。结论ACE基因I/D多态性与晚发性抑郁症无显著相关性。     

脑梗死患者ACE基因多态性的研究

目的研究血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）基因插入（Ｉ）／缺失（Ｄ）多态性与脑梗死（ＣＩ）的关系。方法用聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）技术分别检测２３５例ＣＩ患者和１５８例对照人群ＡＣＥ基因型和基因频率。结果ＣＩ组与对照组Ｄ：Ｉ等位基因频率之比差异显著（Ｐ＜０．００１）。ＤＤ基因型ＣＩ组明显高于对照组。ＤＤ基因型ＣＩ相对危险性增高。结论ＡＣＥ基因缺失多态性与ＣＩ发生显著相关,同时有脑卒中和高血压家族史的ＤＤ型ＡＣＥ基因携带者具有卒中易感性。     

A polymorphic locus in the intron 16 of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is not correlated with complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I).

Exaggerated neurogenic inflammation has been recognized to be one reason for many CRPS symptoms. Since angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key enzyme for the termination of neurogenic inflammation, it has been selected as a candidate gene for CRPS predisposition. A previous report of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in intron 16 within the ACE gene implicated an increased risk to develop CRPS I associated with the D allele. However, in the present study the D allele frequency was not increased in CRPS I cases (0.51 for D allele, 0.49 for I allele). Furthermore, there was no co-segregation of any genotype (DD, ID, II) with the CRPS phenotype in 12 selected familial CRPS I cases from six CRPS I families. In conclusion, the results presented herein render this particular ACE gene polymorphism unlikely to be a predisposing factor for CRPS I.     

ACE and AT1R gene polymorphisms and hypertension in Indian population

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) controls intrarenal blood pressure and sodium balance, and is an important target for antihypertensive therapy. Several polymorphisms have been identified within genes encoding RAS that may contribute to the development of elevated blood pressure. The relevance of these polymorphisms in hypertension remains controversial. In this study we have examined 105 hypertensive subjects and 192 controls from the Indian population for I/D polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) and A(1166)C polymorphism of angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-based restriction enzyme analysis method, respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of ACE (I/I, I/D, and D/D) and AT1R (A/A and A/C) genotypes between controls and hypertensive subjects. D allele was significantly associated with an early onset of hypertension and although nonsignificant, the frequency was high in subjects with family history of cardiovascular disorders. C(1166) allele of AT1R did not correlate with the age of onset of hypertension and the frequency was low in subjects with family history. Thus no association was found between ACE and AT1R genotypes and hypertension. However the D allele can be used as a predictor of risk of hypertension in the Indian population.     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与2型糖尿病视网膜病变的相关性研究

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因多态性与2型糖尿病患者合并视网膜病变的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应技术检测146例2型糖尿病患者ACE基因内含子16插入/缺失多态性,其中合并视网膜病变组27例,未发生视网膜病变组119例;同时选择200例健康志愿者作为正常对照组。结果合并视网膜病变组的ACE基因DD纯合型频率比未患视网膜病变组显著升高(70%与46%,P=0.042),但两组D等位基因频率比较无显著差异(80%与69%,P>0.05)。多因素分析表明,ACE基因DD基因型多态性与收缩压均为2型糖尿病视网膜病变的独立危险因素。结论ACE基因的DD基因型可增加2型糖尿病患者并发视网膜病变的危险性。     

吉林地区汉族人ACE基因多态性与2型糖尿病合并冠心病的相关性研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素Ⅰ转换酶(ACE)基因插入/缺失(Ⅰ/D)多态性与吉林地区汉族人2型糖尿病患者合并冠心病的关系.方法 对80例2型糖尿病合并冠心病的患者,60例单纯2型糖尿病患者,60名健康人进行分组对照性研究.抽提人外周血中白细胞的基因组DNA,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增ACE基因第16内含子的一个287bpAlu的插入/缺失(I/D)基因片段,然后进行1.5%的琼脂糖凝胶电泳,并在紫外线灯下观察荧光带并确认每例的基因型.各组间的基因型频率比较应用Hardy-Weinburg遗传平衡定律检验和χ2检验.等位基因频率比较应用χ2检验.结果 各组间ACE基因的基因型频率分布有显著性差异(P＜0.05),等位基因频率分布无明显差异(P＜0.05).结论 ACE基因的I/D多态性与吉林地区汉族人2型糖尿病合并冠心病的发病无显著相关性.     

Increased deformability of red blood cells is associated with a deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays important roles in the renin-angiotensin system. ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II and also inactivates bradykinin, thereby modulating the vascular tone. A polymorphism of the ACE gene, located on chromosome 17, has been found in intron 16, and is characterized by the presence (insertion [I]) or absence (deletion [D]) of a 287-base-pair Alu repeat. Individuals with the D allele of the ACE gene have higher ACE levels and are at higher risk of cardiovascular events. We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and hemorheological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) deformability. The study was performed on 28 healthy young volunteers (13 women and 15 men, mean age 24 +/- 2). The prevalence of the I and D alleles was 30.4% and 69.6%, respectively. The I/I genotype (II) was found in 21.4%, I/D genotype (ID) in 17.9%, and D/D genotype (DD) in 60.7% of the subjects tested. No significant relationship between ACE I/D polymorphism and RBC aggregation or whole blood and plasma viscosity was observed. In contrast, RBC deformability was significantly increased in the subjects with the DD genotype compared with the II (p < 0.05) or the ID (p < 0.01) genotype, and in the subjects with the D allele compared with the I allele (p < 0.01). We suggest that RBC deformability of individuals with the D allele, who have higher risk for cardiovascular pathologies, may have been increased by a compensatory mechanism.