Affiliation:
1. Studenckie Koło Naukowe, III Katedra i Oddział Kliniczny Kardiologii, Wydział Lekarski z Oddziałem Lekarsko-Dentystycznym w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
2. III Katedra i Oddział Kliniczny Kardiologii, Wydział Lekarski z Oddziałem Lekarsko-Dentystycznym w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Śląskie Centrum Chorób Serca w Zabrzu
Abstract
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays an essential role in the functioning of two important systems in the human body by catalysing the synthesis of angiotensin II in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and by degrading bradykinin in the kinin-kallikrein involved in the development of many cardiovascular conditions. It has been shown that ACE
activity is largely genetically determined. More than nine hundred various polymorphisms,
mostly single nucleotide polymorphisms, have been detected in the ACE gene; however, the
most researched one is still the insertion/deletion polymorphism located in intron 16, which
determines fifty per cent of variability of ACE activity. It is stated that DD homozygotes have
the highest ACE serum activity, which can indicate a higher risk of developing certain cardiovascular
diseases in patients with this genotype. Therefore, the I/D polymorphism has been
analysed in thousands of studies, mainly in the context of cardiovascular conditions risk. The
correlation between ACE I/D polymorphism and the risk of particular diseases, its cooperation
with other risk factors or its influence on therapy among patients with conditions such as
coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure have been searched.
Unfortunately, the results of those studies have often turned out ambiguous or even contrary.
We herein present a summary of the most essential analyses and current knowledge about
the role of the I/D polymorphism in the evaluation of risk and treatment efficacy of most
common cardiovascular conditions.
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Microbiology (medical)