CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT GENOTYPES IN THEINSERTION DELETION (I/D) POLYMORPHISM AT THE LOCUS FOR ANGIOTENSIN-I-CONVERTING-ENZYME (ACE)/

The deletion (D) allele of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism at the locus for angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported to be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI), part icularly in people lacking traditional risk factors. Furthermore, a bo rderline association between Lp(a) lipoprotein level and the I/D polym orphism at the ACE locus was reported in one study. We have searched f or possible ''level gene'' or ''variability gene'' effects of ACE gene s on Lp(a) lipoprotein, total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotei n (HDL) cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol( LDLC), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and body mass index (BMI). None of these variables differed significantly between genotypes in the I/D polymorphism in any of thr ee population samples. A single population sample created by combining the three series, exhibited an insignificant trend towards individual s carrying the D-allele having a higher level of Lp(a) lipoprotein tha n those lacking it, and DD homozygotes had a significantly higher Lp(a ) lipoprotein level than the combined group of ID/II individuals (p = 0.03). These results may indicate that the D-allele of the I/D polymor phism at the ACE locus could influence the level of Lp(a) lipoprotein.