Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Angiotensin I converting enzyme [ACE] is a Zinc metalloproteinase, converts Ang I to Ang- IIa pro-inflammatory agent which may contribute to pathophysiology of some diseases like type 2 diabetes. To investigate the relationship between ACE I/D polymorphism and type 2 diabetes in 261 Iranian casecontrol pairs. 170 patients [85 type 2 diabetics with nephropathy and 85 type 2 diabetics without nephropathy] and 91 healthy control subjects were enrolled in our study. I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] utilizing specific primers. The frequency of DD genotype in the DN group was higher than that of the type 2 diabetic patients [30.6% vs. 20%, P = 0.157] and the control group [30.6% vs. 14.3%, P=0.006]. The frequency of D allele in nephropathic patients was 58.2% as compared to type 2 diabetic patients without nephropathy 50.5% [P=0.19] and control subjects 37.3% [P =0.001]. Therefore, the frequency of DD genotype and D allele significantly increased in DN patients in comparison to healthy controls. It is concluded that the DD genotype and /or D allele of ACE gene may increase the risk for type 2 diabetes but not diabetic nephropathy