Association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Insertion-Deletion Polymorphism with Hypertension in Emiratis with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Interaction with Obesity Status

Abstract

The association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) insertion-deletion (I/D) polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension has been extensively studied throughout various ethnic populations but largely with inconsistent findings. We investigated these associations in Emirati population and their interaction with obesity status. Saliva samples were collected from a total of 564 Emiratis (277 T2DM and 297 healthy). DNA was extracted and the samples were genotyped forACEI/D polymorphism by a PCR based method followed by gel electrophoresis. Upon evaluation of theACEI/D polymorphism amongst all T2DM, hypertensive patients, and respective controls regardless of obesity status,ACEDD genotype was not found to be associated with either T2DM [odds ratio (OR) = 1.34,p=0.086] or hypertension [odd ratio (OR) = 1.02,p=0.93]. When the genetic variants amongst the nonobese and obese population were analyzed separately, the risk genotypeACEDD conferred significantly increased risk of hypertension in nonobese population [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80,p=0.02] but was found to be protective against the hypertension in the obese group ((OR) = 0.54,p=0.01). However, there was no effect of obesity status on the association ofACEgenotypes with T2DM. The risk of hypertension associated withACEDD is modulated by obesity status and hence future genetic association studies should take obesity into account for the interpretation of data. We also confirmed thatACEI/D polymorphism is not associated with T2DM risk in Emirati population.