Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism on development of athlete's heart

Background and hypothesis: Genetic influence on development of athlete's he art is uncertain. This study investigated whether angiotensin-converting en zyme (ACE) gene polymorphism influenced development of athlete's heart. Methods: Forty-three participants in a 100-km ultramarathon were classified on the basis of ACE gene polymorphism into a deletion group (n = 26) and a n insertion group (n = 17). Echocardiograms were recorded to determine left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, interventricular sep tal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction. Results: Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (65.5 +/- 4.0 mm) and left ventricular mass (369.5 +/- 73.9 g) were significantly larger in the subje cts with deletion than in those with insertion (57.4 +/- 4.2 mm, 306.5 +/- 93.7 g). However, no significant differences in the other parameters were n oted. Conclusions: In long-distance runners, ACE gene polymorphism of the D/D and D/I genotypes has a stronger influence on left ventricular hypertrophy tha n polymorphism of the I/I genotype.