Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion deletion polymorphism and androgenetic alopecia susceptibility among Egyptian patients: A preliminary case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent condition with a complex etiopathogenesis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene located on the chromosome 17q23 contains an insertion (I) and deletion (D) polymorphism in the intron 16. This gene polymorphism plays a role in multiple inflammatory disorders. However, there are no studies investigating its association with AGA susceptibility. OBJECTIVES: In this work, we aimed at exploring the association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism in AGA susceptibility in a group of Egyptian patients. METHODS: This study included 100 AGA patients, and 100 apparently healthy controls. The ACE gene I/D polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The DD, ID genotypes, and D allele showed higher frequent distribution among studied AGA patients than controls (p < 0.05 each). Positive family history and ACE gene I/D polymorphism were considered AGA susceptibility predictors in both uni- and multivariable analyses [p < 0.05 each (OR (95% CI)] on applying logistic regression analysis for risk factors prediction. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the possible contribution of the suspected genetic polymorphism as a susceptibility indicator for AGA development in the examined group of patients.