RAS genes influence exercise-induced left ventricular hypertrophy: an elite athletes study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Genetics
• Sports Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C polymorphism are studied for their influence on cardiovascular adaptations.
• Previous research indicated an association between ACE I/D polymorphism and left ventricular (LV) mass changes in response to training, but not for AT1R A1166C polymorphism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genotype distribution of ACE I/D, AT1R A1166C, and AT1R CA microsatellite polymorphisms in elite athletes.
• To determine if the AT1R C1166 variant, alongside the ACE D allele, influences training-induced LV mass alterations in elite trained athletes.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography was used to assess LV mass and dimensions in 28 elite male soccer players and 155 healthy male controls.
• Measurements were taken before and after a 7-month training period.
• Genotyping was performed for ACE I/D, AT1R A1166C, and AT1R CA microsatellite polymorphisms.

Main Results:

• Training increased LV mass in most athletes. The ACE D allele was significantly associated with altered LV mass response to training (P = 0.02).
• No significant association was found between AT1R C allele carriers and LV mass changes (P > 0.05).
• The combined presence of ACE D and AT1R C alleles did not impact training-induced LV mass alterations. No differences in CA microsatellite marker frequencies were observed between athletes and controls.

Conclusions:

• Soccer participation does not appear to select athletes based on these specific genotypes.
• Training-induced changes in LV mass among elite male athletes are significantly linked to the ACE D allele, but not the AT1R C allele.