ACE ABSTRACTS: ACE I/D gene polymorphism: presence of the ACE D allele increases the risk of coronary artery disease in younger individuals.

Gardemann A, Fink M, Stricker J, Nguyen QD, Humme J, Katz N, Tillmanns H, Hehrlein FW, Rau M, Haberbosch W Institut fur Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum der Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen, Germany. [Atherosclerosis 1998 Jul;139(1):153-9]

BACKGROUND: Presence of the D allele or homozygosity for the deletion (D) allele of the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been discussed as potent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS: In 2267 male Caucasians the relation of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism to CAD and MI were investigated. An association of the D allele to CAD was detected in younger subjects (e.g. < 61.7 years, mean value), but not in older patients (e.g. > or = 61.7 years). Additional exclusion of individuals with other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. high BMI) produced an even stronger association of the D allele to CAD. In contrast, a relation of this polymorphism to non-fatal MI was only observed in older subjects; additional limitation to individuals without cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. BMI and/or diabetes) yielded a further enhancement of this association to MI. In younger subjects (e.g. < 61.7 years) the gene polymorphism was not related to non-fatal MI even after exclusion of additional risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS: The present large case-control study strengthens the assumption of an association of the ACE D allele with the risk of ischemic heart disease.

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