ABSTRACT
Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] plays a key role in modulating vascular tone and electrolyte balance by hydrolyzing angiotensin II which is a potent vasopressor and aldosterone-stimulating peptide. The insertion/deletion polymorphism of ACE is a genetic determinant of plasma ACE levels and has been reported to be associated with diabetic microvascular or macrovascular complications
Aim: To contribute the ACE gene I/D polymorphism to the development ofdiabetic nephropathy in Egyptians
Methods: This study was carried on 30 Egyptian patients with diabetic nephropathy and 20 normal age-sex matched persons. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination and routine laboratory investigations. Determination of ACE genotype by PCR, quantitative determination of plasma ACE levels by colorimetric method and quantitative determination of angiotensin II levels using ELIZA technique
Results: There was significant increase in ACE and angiotensin levels in diabetic nephropathy patients than control persons. In diabetic nephropathy patients, ID and DD genotypes were present in 20% and 25% respectively as compared to 2% and 0% of control persons respectively. Thus D-allele was present in 45% of the patients as compared to 2% of normal controls
Conclusion: There is positive association between the D-allele [ID and DD] and development of diabetic nephropathy in Egyptians