ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME POLYMORPHISM IS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERITY OF CORONARY HEART-DISEASE AND SERUM-LIPIDS (TOTAL CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES LEVELS) IN JAPANESE PATIENTS

Background Much past research has concerned the relationship between c oronary heart disease and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) geno type, with many lines of evidence demonstrating polymorphism to be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction, Interestingly, howe ver, association of ACE polymorphism and severity of coronary artery s tenosis according to racial background has recently been proposed. Obj ective To clarify the relationship between the ACE genotype and severi ty of coronary artery stenosis in Japanese patients. Methods In 36 con secutive patients undergoing coronary catheterization, comparative exa mination of coronary angiography findings with the ACE genotype was co nducted. Results The severity of coronary artery stenosis indeed showe d a relationship with the ACE genotype, with more severe coronary arte ry stenosis associated with the deletion (D) allele (P <0.05). The ser um lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, were also eleva ted in patients with the D allele (P <0.05). Conclusion We have provid ed further evidence that ACE polymorphism is associated with severity of coronary heart disease in a Japanese population, A possible relatio nship between serum lipids and the ACE genotype is also suggested.