Relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: To investigate the association between angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene insertion/deletion(I/D) polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: ACE gene I/D polymorphism within intron 16 was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in 176 type 2 diabetic patients. Carotid atherosclerosis was diagnosed by B ultrasonic image. The data were analyzed by Logistic regression to explore the independent and significant risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Results: (1) The DD genotype and D allele were significantly more common in diabetic patients with carotid atherosclerosis than in those without it (Frequencies of DD genotype: 0.50 vs 0.18; frequencies of D allele: 0.71 vs 0.38; P 0.01 ). (2)Logistic regression analysis showed that DD genotype, age, male gender and essential hypertension contributed significantly to the formation of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients (OR=3.869, 1.081, 2.447, 2.173,respectively, P 0.05).(3) After adjusting age, gender and history of essential hypertension, the analysis showed that the DD genotype was a strong and independent risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusion: There is some relationship between ACE gene polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. This association is independent of age, gender and essential hypertension history.