Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism: I and D alleles from some different countries.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) displays potent vasoconstrictive effects, attenuation of fibrinolysis, and platelet activation and aggregation, thus possibly promoting thromboembolism (VTE). ACE gene plays important role in regulation of ACE. Because the renin/angiotensin system affects hemostasis through different mechanisms, data on the possible role of angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism in the pathogenesis of thrombosis are interesting. Here, the reported pattern of I/D polymorphism of ACE gene from 9 Western and Asian countries was analyzed. The frequencies were analyzed using the method similar to the phylogenetic study. According to this study, the population from the same region of the world presents more similar ACE gene polymorphism pattern than that from the other regions. In addition, the significant correlation between the population ethnicity and the gene frequencies was detected in this study (chi square test, p < 0.05). The difference in pattern of I/D polymorphism of ACE gene may be important in relation to the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Western and Asian subjects and may be relevant in explaining differences in thromboembolism diseases in different populations.