LACK OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME GENE POLYMORPHISM AND CORONARY HEART-DISEASE IN A CHINESE POPULATION

Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting en zyme (ACE) gene has been postulated as a risk factor for coronary hear t disease. We conducted a case-control study of 271 Chinese, including 114 subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD), 42 with non-CAD and 115 apparently normal controls to examine the association of I/D polym orphism and CAD. The genotypes were identified by polymerase chain rea ction and the plasma ACE activity was assayed by spectrophotometry. Th e allele and genotype frequencies were not different among the CAD, no n-CAD and apparently normal groups (p = 0.42 and 0.63). Plasma ACE act ivity was not different among the three groups (p = 0.32). The D-allel e and DD genotype were not more prevalent in subjects with low risk CA D (p = 0.07 and 0.16) and subjects with myocardial infarction (p = 0.7 9 and p = 0.35). No association was found between I/D polymorphism and severity of CAD (p = 0.42 and 0.70). In conclusion, the deletion poly morphism of the ACE gene may not be all independent risk factor in the development of CAD or myocardial infarction in this Chinese populatio n. The unique or synergistic effect of other genes needs further study .