Relationship between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography and Apolipoprotein E and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in Diabetic Nephropathy / 대한신장학회잡지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the distribution of the polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and angiotensin converting enzyme gene in patients with diabetic nephropathy and also evaluated possible association between the apolipoprotein E carriers and angioten-sin converting enzyme genotypes and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. METHODS: Study participants were 92 patients with diabetic nephropathy(50 men and 42 women). Hb(A1C), albuminuria, and lipid status were assessed by standard laboratory techniques ; the apolipoprotein E carriers were assessed by modified amplification refractory mutation system and the angioten-sin converting enzyme genotypes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction. The intima-media thickness was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: The apolipoprotein E frequencies of patients were E2 8%, E3 76%, and E4 16%. The intima-media thickness varied by apo E groups. E2 group has less common carotid intima-media thickness than E3 and E4 groups(p<0.05). The angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes were distributed as follows ; 35% II, 49% ID, 16% DD. The intima-media thickness value did not differ among patients with various angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age and apolipoprotein E genotypes were determinants for the intima-media thickness. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in diabetic nephropathy. But, we could not find an association between carotid artery intima-media thickness and angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy.