The relation hip between insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and myocardial infarction in a Chinese population

Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). It was reported that insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene was associated with serum ACE level and myocardial infarction (MI) morbidity in Caucasian population. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the I/D polymorphism and MI as well as serum ACE level in a Chinese population. Methods: I/D polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a study of 103 control subjects and 116 patients with MI, among which 45 patients were angiographically documented. Serum ACE levels were concomitantly measured. Results: The frequencies of D allele (0.46) and DD genotype (0.27) were higher among the MI group than among the control subjects (0.33 and 0.12 respectively, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). With the increment of the D allele frequency in the genotypes, serum ACE levels increased progressively in the MI group without ACE inhibitors medication and control subjects. Furthermore, multivessel disease was more strongly associated with D allele (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with serum ACE level and MI morbidity, indicating that it might be an important risk factor for MI in Chinese population.