Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism on aortic elastic parameters in athletes

Physiologic adaptations in an athlete's heart include increased left and right ventricular chamber size, left ventricular wall thickness and mass. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key enzyme in angiotensin II production causing cardiac hypertrophy. The cloning of the ACE gene has made it possible to identify a deletion (D)-insertion (I) polymorphism that appears to affect the level of serum ACE activity. Therefore, the ACE genes, which have been shown to be polymorphic, could be candidate genes for large-artery stiffness.

56 endurance athletes and 46 sedentary subjects were included in this study, and they underwent both complete echocardiographic examination, and analysis of ACE insertion (I) and deletion (D) allele frequencies in peripheral blood. The aortic diameter was recorded by M-mode echocardiography at a level 3 cm above the aortic valve. Aortic systolic diameter was measured at the time of full opening of the aortic valve, and diastolic diameter was measured at the peak of QRS. Aortic strain, stiffness index and distensibility were calculated.

Left ventricular mass index and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly higher in athletes than controls (p < 0.001). The aortic distensibility index and strain were significantly greater in athletes compared with controls (respectively: 5.8 +/- 2.7 vs. 4.7 +/- 1.8 cm(-2) dyn(-1) 10(-6), p = 0.017; 12.3 +/- 2.4 vs. 9.3 +/- 3.1, p < 0.001). The aortic stiffness index was significantly lower in athletes than in controls (4.8 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.1 +/- 2.1, p < 0.001). The aortic distensibility index and strain were statistically different in ACE DD vs. DI groups and DD vs. II groups of athletes. The aortic stiffness index was statistically different in ACE DD vs. II groups of athletes. Aortic parameters were similar according to ACE genotypes in controls.

The results of this study indicate that aortic distensibility was increased by prolonged training in endurance athletes, particularly in those with the ACE II genotype. This effect represents an extracardiac adaptation to chronic prolonged training in athletes.