ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism and its relationships to the components of metabolic syndrome in elderly Slovaks.

The purpose of this study was to assess clustering of Metabolic Syndrome components in aged Slovaks, and to investigate whether insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with this syndrome. Data were available from 374 Slovak participants (200 females and 174 males) ranging in age between 60 and 90 years. ACE I/D polymorphism was determined by PCR amplification of the ACE gene sequence. Metabolic Syndrome was diagnosed according to criteria in the NCEP ATP-III. Elderly males and females differ significantly in the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (females 45.1%, males 24.8%). The males and females including subjects with and without metabolic syndrome, respectively, did not differ significantly in the three genotype distributions (p = 0.603 and p = 0.247). The allele frequencies (D = 0.5483, I = 0.4517) in the entire sample fell within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no confirmed association between ACE genotype and phenotypic variation in the recognized risk components for Metabolic Syndrome in elderly Slovaks. Among other factors which may induce a difference in Metabolic Syndrome, significant effect was detected for sex, BMI, HDL, TG, glucose and the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.

Relationships between blood pressure, polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), body composition and biochemical characteristics in elderly Slovaks.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that several specific environmental factors and candidate genes influence the human variation in blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate variables associated with blood pressure; with a particular emphasis on the differences in insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the body composition and the recognized risk factors for atherosclerosis among elderly males and females. A total of 374 participants (174 males and 200 females) aged from 60 to 90 years were recruited from different parts of Slovakia. The elderly were not bed-ridden, nor mentally impaired, they were able to manage their daily activities by themselves. The ACE I/D polymorphism was determined by PCR amplification of the ACE gene sequence. Body composition variables were obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis, using the BIA 101 soft tissue-body impedance analyzer (Akern, S.r.l.). The subjects were determined to be hypertensive (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg) or normotensive (blood pressure < or = 140/90 mm Hg ). These two subgroups of males and females did not differ significantly in their mean ages. As expected, the hypertensive subjects of both sexes showed significantly higher mean values in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), in body mass index (BMI), and in the mean values of their plasma glucose and extracellular water (ECW). The genotype distribution and allele frequencies in the whole sample (D = 0.5474, I = 0.4526) fell within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of the deleterious D allele in the normotensive (0.5532) and hypertensive (0.5516) subjects was not significantly different. The ACE I/D genotypes did not associate either with the systolic (p = 0.836) or diastolic BP (p = 0.629). From the other variables that may induce differences in blood pressure, a statistical effect was detected for glucose, Na/K, and Apo A1/ApoB ratios and physical activity on SBP, and for ApoA1, physical activity, BMI and total cholesterol on DBP.

Importance of diet in protection against oxidative damage.

OBJECTIVES: In humans, epidemiological evidence suggests that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables can substantially enhance the protection against many common types of cancer. METHODS & RESULTS: A molecular epidemiological study in 3 Slovak factories producing asbestos, glass fibres and rockwool was conducted. Altogether 388 subjects (239 exposed, 148 controls) were investigated. Food frequency questionnaire was used to ascertain nutrient intake and compared to plasma levels of selected micronutrients, as well as to markers of oxidative stress (MDA, oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair) and antioxidant protection. We found a negative correlation between MDA concentrations and consumption of fruits (p=0.05) and vegetables (p=0.05) in all control subjects. Intake of fruits (p=0.05), vegetables (p=0.01), milk (p=0.01) and cereals (p=0.05) inversely correlated with oxidative DNA damage (net FPG) in all subjects investigated. There was a negative correlation between the intake of fruits (p=0.05) and vegetables (p=0.01) in all exposed subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that well balanced food consumption with higher fruits and vegetables intake has a protective effect against oxidative damage.