Preliminary study about the relationship between estimated training status and RAS polymorphisms on blood pressure and ACE activity in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: Polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) are associated with increases in blood pressure (BP). Physical exercise has been considered the main strategy to prevent this increase. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between estimated training status (TS), BP and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in elderly people classified as low or high risk to develop hypertension according to genetic profile. METHODS: A total of 155 elderly participants performed the following assessments: general functional fitness index (GFFI), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), blood collection for ACE activity and analyses of the RAS polymorphisms. RESULTS: Uncontrolled hypertensive (UHT) participants presented higher values of SBP and DBP compared with normotensive (NT) and controlled hypertensive (CHT) participants. No differences were found in ACE activity and GFFI between groups. In the high risk group, UHT presented higher values of SBP and DBP compared with other groups. CHT presented higher values of SBP compared with NT. Furthermore, UHT presented higher values of ACE activity compared with CHT and lower values of GFFI compared with NT. CONCLUSION: MDA, TIA and TIC genetic combinations were associated with high risk of developing hypertension while the maintenance of good levels of TS was associated with lower BP values and ACE activity.