Shi-jun Li1, Ning-ling Sun, Su-min Zhou. 1. Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China. lsj_020626@163.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the relationships between changes in the structure and function of carotid arteries and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism in Chinese hypertensive subjects. METHODS: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to evaluate the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism. High-resolution B-mode ultrasound examinations were performed to detect parameters of carotid artery remodeling. RESULTS: Intima-media thickness (IMT) was significantly different among the DD, ID and II genotypes of ACE (DD > ID > II, P < 0.05). Carotid internal diameter, distensibility and stiffness were similar among the DD, ID and II genotypes of ACE (P > 0.05) in hypertensive subjects. The frequency of the DD gene and D allele of ACE were higher in patients with thickening carotid than in patients with normal carotid (70.4% vs 24.1%, and 79.5% vs 40.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, independent risk factors for increased carotid IMT in hypertensive subjects were ACE genotypes (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001) and carotid internal diameter (P = 0.032). Moreover, triglycerides and total cholesterol were higher in patients with the DD genotype than in those with the II genotype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was related to IMT, but not to internal diameter, distensibility and stiffness of the carotid in Chinese hypertensive subjects. ACE gene polymorphism was a main risk factor for increased carotid IMT. These results may imply that there is a link between lipid metabolism and ACE genotype polymorphism in Chinese hypertensive subjects.
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the relationships between changes in the structure and function of carotid arteries and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism in Chinese hypertensive subjects. METHODS: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to evaluate the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism. High-resolution B-mode ultrasound examinations were performed to detect parameters of carotid artery remodeling. RESULTS: Intima-media thickness (IMT) was significantly different among the DD, ID and II genotypes of ACE (DD > ID > II, P < 0.05). Carotid internal diameter, distensibility and stiffness were similar among the DD, ID and II genotypes of ACE (P > 0.05) in hypertensive subjects. The frequency of the DD gene and D allele of ACE were higher in patients with thickening carotid than in patients with normal carotid (70.4% vs 24.1%, and 79.5% vs 40.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, independent risk factors for increased carotid IMT in hypertensive subjects were ACE genotypes (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001) and carotid internal diameter (P = 0.032). Moreover, triglycerides and total cholesterol were higher in patients with the DD genotype than in those with the II genotype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was related to IMT, but not to internal diameter, distensibility and stiffness of the carotid in Chinese hypertensive subjects. ACE gene polymorphism was a main risk factor for increased carotid IMT. These results may imply that there is a link between lipid metabolism and ACE genotype polymorphism in Chinese hypertensive subjects.