Association of ACE gene polymorphism with cardiovascular determinants of trained and untrained Iranian men

BACKGROUND: The insertion (I) rather than deletion (D) of human angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE) is associated with lower circulating ACE activity and with endurance performance among Caucasians. The frequency of the ACE gene I/D allele in Iranian sample seems to be more similar to the Caucasians. To assess the possible relationship between I/D polymorphism of ACE gene with athletic status and selected cardiovascular indices and VO(2max) in an Iranian population, DNA samples were obtained from 57 trained and untrained men, with soccer as their main training modality. Genotyping for ACE I/D polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction. VO(2max) was determined by an incremental test to volitional exhaustion on a motorized treadmill. RESULTS: I/D genotype was neither associated with elite athlete status nor with VO(2max), resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There was no interaction effect of training statue x ACE genotype for each of the examined indices. CONCLUSIONS: ACE gene variation was not a determinant of cardiovascular function and VO(2max) in either trained or untrained Iranian participating in soccer. The absence of an association between either I/D genotype and elite Iranian athlete status and better cardiovascular function also suggests that the ACE gene does not contribute significantly to the phenomenal success of Iranian soccer players.