The Role of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism in the Development of Premature Coronary Artery Disease

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism has been associated with many cardiovascular pathologies. The goal of our study was to assess the association of ACE gene polymorphism with premature coronary artery disease in Turkish population sample. A total of 139 young patients (?50 years) with coronary artery disease were evaluated in regard to ACE gene polymorphism and conventional coronary risk factors. The findings were analyzed and compared with those of 67 healthy young persons. Both allele frequencies and ACE genotype distribution did not differ substantially between groups (ACE I/I: %13.7; ACE I/D: %59; ACE D/D: %27.3 in the study group and; ACE I/I: %17.9, ACE I/D: %57.2, ACE D/D: %27.9 and in the control group). The odds ratios were 0.88 for D homozygotes (p > 0.05) and 1.03 for the D allele (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the other variables (smoking, plasma cholesterol level, obesity, and diabetes mellitus) were found to be related to the development of premature coronary artery disease.
CONCLUSION
ACE gene polymorphism does not seem to be associated with premature coronary artery disease in the studied, limited-sized Turkish sample population. (Türk Kardiyol Dern Arş 2004; 32: 23-27)