VO(2MAX) IS ASSOCIATED WITH ACE GENOTYPE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Relationships have frequently been found between angiotensin-convertin g enzyme (ACE) genotype and various pathological and physiological car diovascular outcomes and functions. Thus we sought to determine whethe r ACE genotype affected maximal O-2 consumption ((V) over dot O-2max) and maximal exercise hemodynamics in postmenopausal women with differe nt habitual physical activity levels. Age, body composition, and habit ual physical activity levels did not differ among ACE genotype groups. However, ACE insertion/insertion (II) genotype carriers had a 6.3 ml. kg(-1).min(-1) higher (V) over dot O-2max (P < 0.05) than the ACE dele tion/deletion (DD) genotype group after accounting for the effect of p hysical activity levels. The ACE II genotype group also had a 3.3 ml.k g(-1).min(-1) higher (V) over dot O-2max (P < 0,05) than the ACE inser tion/deletion (ID) genotype group. The ACE ID group tended to have a h igher Vet,, than the DD genotype group, but the difference was not sig nificant. ACE genotype accounted for 12% of the variation in (V) over dot O-2max,, among women after accounting for the effect of habitual p hysical activity levels. The entire difference in (V) over dot O-2max, , among ACE genotype groups was the result of differences in maximal a rteriovenous O-2 difference (a-vDO(2)). ACE genotype accounted for 17% of the variation in maximal a-vDO(2) in these women. Maximal cardiac output index did not differ whatsoever among ACE genotype groups. Thus it appears that ACE genotype accounts for a significant portion of th e interindividual differences in (V) over dot O-2max among these women . However, this difference is the result of genotype-dependent differe nces in maximal a-vDO(2) and not of maximal stroke volume and maximal cardiac output.