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Published on: June 29, 2014
Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism on development of athlete's heart
J Nagashima1, H Musha, H Takada
1Department of Cardiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Background And Hypothesis:
Genetic influence on development of athlete's heart is uncertain. This study investigated whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism influenced development of athlete's heart.
Methods:
Forty-three participants in a 100-km ultramarathon were classified on the basis of ACE gene polymorphism into a deletion group (n = 26) and an insertion group (n = 17). Echocardiograms were recorded to determine left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction.
Results:
Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (65.5 +/- 4.0 mm) and left ventricular mass (369.5 +/- 73.9 g) were significantly larger in the subjects with deletion than in those with insertion (57.4 +/- 4.2 mm, 306.5 +/- 93.7 g). However, no significant differences in the other parameters were noted.
Conclusions:
In long-distance runners, ACE gene polymorphism of the D/D and D/I genotypes has a stronger influence on left ventricular hypertrophy than polymorphism of the I/I genotype.
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