Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with diabetic nephropathy

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