Association of the muscle-specific creatine kinase (CKMM) gene polymorphism with physical performance of athletes

The aim of the study was to investigate allele and genotype distributions of the muscle-specific creatine kinase gene (CKMM) A/G polymorphism in athletes (n = 384) and controls (n = 1116), and to find interrelation between genotypes and aerobic capacity in rowers (n = 85). Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen consumption (VO2(max)) and maximal power production capacity (W(max was determined using an incremental test to exhaustion by rower ergometer. The frequencies of CKMM A allele and AA genotype were significantly higher in endurance-oriented athletes (n = 176) than in controls (A allele: 78.7% vs. 65.4%; p < 0.0001; AA genotype: 59.7% vs. 44.2%; p = 0.0003). On the other hand, GG genotype was more prevalent in weightlifters (n = 74) in comparison with controls (31.1% vs. 13.4%; p = 0.0001). Furthermore, CKMM AA genotype was associated with high values of VO2(max) (AA - 58.98 (3.44) ml/kg/min, GA - 56.99 (4.36) ml/kg/min, GG - 52.87 (4.32) ml/kg/min, p = 0.0097). Thus, CKMM gene A/G polymorphism is associated with physical performance of athletes.     

Impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, endothelial NO synthase, and bradykinin receptor B2 gene polymorphisms on myocardium in patients with hypertension and in athletes

We investigated the role of gene polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen, endothelial NO (eNO) synthase, and bradykinin receptor B2 in determining the cardiovascular system structure and function in hypertension and "athletic heart" syndrome. Using a PCR-based method, 114 hypertensive patients and 94 athletes were genotyped for I/D polymorphism of ACE, M235T angiotensinogen (ANG), Glu298 Asp endothelial synthase (eNOS), and type 2 receptor for bradykinin (BDKR2). Echocardiography and a 24 hour blood pressure monitoring being performed. The (+)-allel of BDKR2 gene was associated with the left ventricular hypertrophy and greater wall thickness in athletes and hypertensive subjects. The hypertensive patients, that were homozygous for Glu298 allele of eNOS, demonstrated a lower level of diastolic blood pressure than did those with Glu298 Asp and Asp298 Asp genotypes. At the same time, the ACE and AND gene polymorphisms displayed no association with the cardiac structure and function.     

No association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme ID polymorphism and elite endurance athlete status.

Several studies have reported that the insertion (I) allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/deletion (D) polymorphism is associated with enhanced responsiveness to endurance training and is more common in endurance athletes than in sedentary controls. We tested the latter hypothesis in a cohort of 192 male endurance athletes with maximal oxygen uptake >/=75 ml. kg(-1). min(-1) and 189 sedentary male controls. The ACE ID polymorphism in intron 16 was typed with the three-primer polymerase chain reaction method. Both the genotype (P = 0.214) and allele (P = 0.095) frequencies were similar in the athletes and the controls. Further analyses in the athletes revealed no excess of the I allele among the athletes within the highest quartile (> 80 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)) or decile (>83 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)) of maximal oxygen uptake. These data from the GENATHLETE cohort do not support the hypothesis that the ACE ID polymorphism is associated with a higher cardiorespiratory endurance performance level.     

Polymorphism of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF) and aerobic performance in athletes

The subject of this study is the frequency distribution of alleles of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF; the G-634C polymorphism) in athletes (n = 670) and in a control group (n = 1073) and the relationships of genotypes with aerobic performance in rowers (n = 90). Genetic typing was performed using the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of the VEGF C allele in the group of endurance athletes (n = 294) was significantly higher than in the control group and increased together with increasing sports qualification. In addition, a correlation of the VEGF C allele with a high aerobic performance of athletes (according to data on the maximal power and maximal oxygen consumption) and with a substantial contribution to the energy supply of aerobic metabolism (according to the values of maximal lactate content) has been found. It is inferred that the G-634C polymorphism of the VEGF gene is associated with physical performance of athletes and plays a key role in sports selection.     

Human angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene and endurance performance.

Human physical performance is strongly influenced by genetic factors. A variation in the structure of the human angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been reported in which the insertion (I) variant is associated with lower ACE levels than the deletion (D) gene. We have previously reported that the I variant was associated with improved endurance performance in high-altitude mountaineers and British Army recruits. We now examine this genotype distribution in 91 British Olympic-standard runners (79 Caucasians). DNA was extracted from the buccal cells contained in 10 ml of saline mouthwash donated by the subjects, and the I and D variants of the ACE gene were identified by PCR amplification of the polymorphic region. There was an increasing frequency of the I allele with distance run [0.35, 0.53, and 0.62 for /=5,000 m (n = 34), respectively; P = 0.009 for linear trend]. Among 404 Olympic-standard athletes from 19 other mixed sporting disciplines (in which endurance performance was not necessarily a key factor), the I allele did not differ significantly from that found in control subjects: 0.50 vs. 0.49 (P = 0.526). These results support a positive association of the I allele with elite endurance performance.     

Elite swimmers and the D allele of the ACE I/D polymorphism

A polymorphism of the human angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been identified in which the presence (insertion, I allele) of a 287-bp fragment rather than the absence (deletion, D allele) is associated with lower ACE activity. Several recent studies have shown an association of the I allele with endurance performance, it being found with excess frequency in elite distance runners, rowers and mountaineers. Other workers using heterogeneous cohorts of athletes from mixed sporting disciplines have found no such association. An increasing linear trend of I allele frequency with the distance run amongst Olympic runners and an excess of the D allele amongst sprinters led us to examine whether the ratio of I and D alleles in swimmers competing over different distances would also vary. Swimmers (n=120) from the European and Commonwealth championships and an American college team had their ACE genotype determined and their gene and allele frequencies compared with several control groups, the most closely age-matched of which were 1,248 military recruits. Of the 103 Caucasians, there was a significant excess of the D allele compared with this control group only in the truly elite swimmers of the European and Commonwealth championships (P=0.004). This association remained in those competing over shorter distances (P=0.005 for 400 m and below) but not in the longer events. These findings were confirmed in three further large control groups. A population association study testing whether a genetic marker (the ACE I/D polymorphism) occurs more frequently in cases (elite athletes) than in controls therefore requires a homogeneous cohort of subjects from the same sporting discipline.     

Association of polymorphisms in MCP-1, CCR2, and CCR5 genes with the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 156 histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer patients and 152 healthy subjects. Individuals with AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 V64I gene polymorphism had a higher risk for prostate cancer as compared with those with GG genotype (p=0.010 and p=0.028, respectively). CCR5 Δ32/wt genotype and CCR5 Δ32 allele were also found to be involved in the susceptibility to prostate cancer (p=0.028 and p=0.030, respectively). However, there was no significant association between MCP-1-2518 A/G gene polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. Prostate cancer patients carrying AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 V64I had significantly increased risk for high stage disease (p=0.002 and p=0.039, respectively) and metastasis (p=0.004 and p=0.022, respectively). The CCR2 A allele (64I allele) was significantly associated with high T stage (p=0.001) and metastasis (p=0.005) as compared with CCR2 G allele (64V allele). Our data indicate that gene polymorphism of CCR2 V64I may influence the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer and CCR5 Δ32 allele may also be an important risk factor for prostate cancer in Turkish men population.     

飞行(学)员ACE基因的多态性

血管紧张素转化酶 (ACE)第 16内含子的插入 缺失多态性与运动员耐力水平有关 .为了解这一多态性与飞行员飞行耐力的关系 ,对不同阶段飞行人员ACE第 16内含子基因型进行了分析和比较 .结果显示 ,ACEDD基因型百分率在招飞体检应征人员为 12 5 %、基础飞行学院学员 (未飞 )为 11 5 %、飞行学院初教机飞行学员为 10 0 %、歼击机飞行员为 3 0 % .歼击机飞行员组D等位基因频率及DD基因型明显低于其他 3组 (P <0 0 1) ,而后 3组之间无明显差异 (P >0 0 5 ) .进而观察到 ,飞行员体能测试成绩优者 ,无DD基因型 .提示 ,飞行员体能表现与ACE第 16内含子的插入 缺失多态性有关 ,具有I等位基因者 ,体能较好 ,飞行耐力也较好 .     

Right Ventricular Adaptation Is Associated with the Glu298Asp Variant of the NOS3 Gene in Elite Athletes

Nitric oxide (NO), an important endogenous pulmonary vasodilator is synthetized by the endothelial NO synthase (NOS3). Reduced NO bioavailability and thus the Glu298Asp polymorphism of NOS3 may enhance right ventricular (RV) afterload and hypertrophic remodeling and influence athletic performance. To test this hypothesis world class level athletes (water polo players, kayakers, canoeists, rowers, swimmers, n = 126) with a VO₂ maximum greater than 50ml/kg/min were compared with non-athletic volunteers (n = 155). Cardiopulmonary exercise tests and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) were performed to determine structural or functional changes. Genotype distribution of the NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism was not affected by gender or physical performance. Cardiac MRI showed increased stroke volume with eccentric hypertrophy in all athletes regardless of their genotype. However, the Asp allelic variant carriers had increased RV mass index (32±6g versus 27±6g, p<0.01) and larger RV stroke volume index (71±10ml versus 64±10ml, p<0.01) than athletes with a Glu/Glu genotype. Genotype was not significantly associated with athletic performance. In the non-athletic group no genotype related differences were detected. The association between the NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism and RV structure and dimension in elite athletes emphasizes the importance of NOS3 gene function and NO bioavailability in sport related cardiac adaptation.     

No association between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene variation and endurance athlete status in Kenyans

East African runners are continually successful in international distance running. The extent to which genetic factors influence this phenomenon is unknown. The insertion (I) rather than deletion (D) of a 287 bp fragment in the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with lower circulating and tissue ACE activity and with endurance performance amongst Caucasians. To assess the association between ACE gene variation and elite endurance athlete status in an African population successful in distance running, DNA samples were obtained from 221 national Kenyan athletes (N), 70 international Kenyan athletes (I), and 85 members of the general Kenyan population (C). Blood samples were obtained from C and assayed for circulating ACE activity. ACE I/D (rs????--from NCBI SNPdb first time poly mentioned) genotype was determined, as was genotype at A22982GD (rs????--from NCBI SNPdb first time poly mentioned) which has been shown to associate more closely with ACE levels in African subjects than the I/D polymorphism. ACE I/D and A22982G genotypes explained 13 and 24% of variation in circulating ACE activity levels (P = 0.034 and <0.001 respectively). I/D genotype was not associated with elite endurance athlete status (df = 4, chi(2) = 4.1, P=0.39). In addition, genotype at 22982 was not associated with elite endurance athlete status (df = 4, chi(2) = 5.7, P = 0.23). Nor was the A allele at 22982, which is associated with lower ACE activity, more prevalent in N (0.52) or I (0.41) relative to C (0.53). We conclude that ACE I/D and A22982G polymorphisms are not strongly associated with elite endurance athlete status amongst Kenyans.     

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ACE GENE VARIATION AND AEROBIC CAPACITY IN WINTER ENDURANCE DISCIPLINES

The aim of the study was to examine the possible relationship between I/D polymorphism of ACE gene and selected indices of aerobic capacity among male and female athletes practising winter endurance sports. Sixty-six well-trained athletes (female n = 26, male n = 40), aged 18.4 ± 2.8 years, representing winter endurance sports (cross-country skiing, n = 48; biathlon, n = 8; Nordic combined, n = 10) participated in the study. Genotyping for ACE I/D polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), maximal running velocity (V_max) and running velocity at anaerobic threshold (V_AT4) were determined in an incremental test to volitional exhaustion on a motorized treadmill. The ACE genotype had no significant effect on absolute VO₂max, relative VO₂max (divided by body mass or fat free body mass), V_AT4 or V_max. No interaction effect of gender x ACE genotype was found for each of the examined aerobic capacity indices. ACE gene variation was not found to be a determinant of aerobic capacity in either female or male Polish, well-trained endurance athletes participating in winter sports.     

Genes for mitochondria in arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy

Polymorphic markers were studied in mitochondrial DNA and the nuclear POLG1 gene, coding for mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ. Their frequencies were compared between healthy individuals and patients with arterial hypertension, as well as between patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy. The healthy group was found not to be clearly dominated by the C allele of MspI polymorphism in POLG1. Mitochondrial haplogroup H was more frequent (OR = 0.42; 95%CI 0.17–0.98; p = 0.043) in patients without left ventricular hypertrophy than in patients having this complication. Haplogroup T was more often detected in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (OR = 6.16; 95%CI 1.17–9.74; p = 0.018). This result suggests the implication of mitochondrial DNA in hereditary susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases.     

Molecular analysis of genetic variation in angiotensin I-converting enzyme identifies no association with sporting ability: First report from Indian population

INTRODUCTION:

A polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene was the first performance enhancing polymorphisms (PEPs) to be identified and correlated with athletic abilities. This polymorphism (rs. 5186) is the absence (deletion; D allele), rather than the presence (insertion, I allele) of 287bp Alu repeat element in intron 16. However, the association of ACE I/D polymorphism in sports abilities have been contradicted and debated. No study has evaluated the ACE gene polymorphism in Indian athletes so far. Hence, the genotype distribution and allelic frequency of ACE gene in selected Indian athletic and non-athletic population was studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 147 athletes and 131 controls were genotyped for the ACE gene polymorphism using PCR.

RESULTS:

No significant association was observed between the allelic frequencies of ACE gene in controls and athletes on a whole, as well as after sub-categorizing the athletes based on the type of sport they played (P > 0.1). However, a higher representation of I allele was observed in the athletes.

CONCLUSION:

ACE genotyping studies need to focus on truly elite athletes of a single sporting discipline, to be able to find an association. The ACE I/D polymorphism may not be considered a marker for human performance, but can be further studied in combination with other potent performance enhancing polymorphisms.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase g894t (rs1799983) gene polymorphism in polish athletes

The NOS3 gene has been associated with athletic endurance performance and elite power athletic status. With respect to NOS3 G894T and its relation to athletic performance or status, results across various studies have not been consistent. Therefore, the lack of consistency among previous studies prompted us to design a case-control study in a Polish Caucasian population to examine the relationship between the NOS3 G894T polymorphism and athletes' status, i.e. type and intensity of exercise performed (poweroriented, “mixed” power/endurance activity, endurance-oriented) and the possible association between the G894T variant and athletic performance. The case-control study was performed in a group of 360 Polish athletes (cases) of the highest nationally competitive standard (male n=156 and female n=67) and 191 unrelated, sedentary control subjects. The G894T genotype and allele distributions differed significantly between power-oriented (P=0.009, P=0.003), “mixed” (P=0.021, P=0.009), endurance (P=0.043, P=0.014) athletes when compared to control subjects (P values for genotypes and alleles, respectively). There were no significant differences between elite and sub-elite athletes in any group. The over-representation of the GG genotype and G allele in all athletes suggests that the G894 allele may favour all types of sports, however, the strongest predisposition was seen among power-oriented athletes.     

Polymorphism of angiotensinogen T174M gene and cardiovascular diseases in the Moscow population]

The groups of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and hypertrophy of the left ventricle (HLV) (n = 45 and n = 53, respectively) and a sample of healthy individuals from the Moscow population (n = 60) were examined for T174M polymorphism of AGT gene (replacement of methionine for threonine at position 174 of the correspondent amino acid sequence). In MI patients the content of TT genotypes and T allele was significantly lower than in the control group (57.8% against 80% and 67.9 against 89.2%, respectively), whereas the proportion of M allele and TM heterozygotes was increased (32.1 against 10.8% and 37.8 against 18.3%, respectively). In patients with HLV, the proportion of TT genotype (64.2%) and T allele (77.4%) was also lower than in the control group, whereas the frequency of M allele was increased (22.6%). Our results suggest that the T174M polymorphism of AGT gene is associated with MI and HLV in the Moscow population.     

Association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of alpha-adrenoceptor gene in essential hypertension with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus in Malaysian subjects

An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of Alpha2B-Adrenoceptor (ADRA2B) gene located on chromosome 2 has been studied extensively in related to cardiovascular diseases. The main aim of the present study was to examine the potential association of D allele frequency of I/D polymorphism of ADRA2B gene in Malaysian essential hypertensive subjects with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study includes 70 hypertensive subjects without T2DM, 65 hypertensive subjects with T2DM and 75 healthy volunteers as control subjects. Genotyping of I/D polymorphism was performed by conventional PCR method. There was significant difference found in age, body mass index, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level between the case and control subjects. DD genotypic frequency of I/D polymorphism was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects (42.84% vs. 29.33%; P-=0.029) and in hypertensive with T2DM subjects (46.15% vs. 29.33%; P=0.046) than control group. D allele frequency was higher in hypertensive group (67.41%) than control subjects (52.67%). However, no significant difference was found between the three genotypes of I/D polymorphism of ADRA2B gene and the clinical characteristics of the subjects. The result obtained in this study show D allele of ADRA2B gene was associated with essential hypertension with or without T2DM in Malaysian subjects.     

Increased blood product use among coronary artery bypass patients prescribed preoperative aspirin and clopidogrel

Background

Adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase (ALAP) is a recently identified member of the M1 family of zinc-metallopeptidases and is thought to play a role in blood pressure control through inactivation of angiotensin II and/or generation of bradykinin. The enzyme seems to be particularly abundant in the heart. Recently, the Arg528-encoding allele of the ALAP gene was shown to be associated with essential hypertension.

Methods

We evaluated the influence of this polymorphism on the change in left ventricular mass index in 90 patients with essential hypertension and echocardiographically diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy, randomised in a double-blind study to receive treatment with either the angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist irbesartan or the beta₁-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol for 48 weeks. Genyotyping was performed using minisequencing.

Results

After adjustment for potential covariates (blood pressure and left ventricular mass index at baseline, blood pressure change, age, sex, dose and added antihypertensive treatment), there was a marked difference between the Arg/Arg and Lys/Arg genotypes in patients treated with irbesartan; those with the Arg/Arg genotype responded on average with an almost two-fold greater regression of left ventricular mass index than patients with the Lys/Arg genotype (-30.1 g/m² [3.6] vs -16.7 [4.5], p = 0.03).

Conclusions

The ALAP genotype seems to determine the degree of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy during antihypertensive treatment with the angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist irbesartan in patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. This is the first report of a role for ALAP/aminopeptidases in left ventricular mass regulation, and suggests a new potential target for antihypertensive drugs.     

Modification of the coronary artery disease risk associated with the presence of traditional risk factors by insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene

Cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity influence the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) functions including an increased synthesis of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). Thus in the present work we explore the interactions of the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and traditional risk factors. The study cohort included 341 subjects composed of 172 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD and 169 blood donors without a history of cardiovascular diseases. The I/D polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology. To determine the interactions between the ACE genotypes and traditional risk factors the epidemiologic approach was used (4 x 2 tables and the synergy measures). The frequency of the DD genotype was significantly higher in patients than in controls (33.7% versus 21.3%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% CI; 1.13-3.15, p = 0.010), but greater differences were found in males (35.7% versus 20.5%, OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.14-4.04, p = 0.010). We found a synergy of the DD genotype with smoking (SI = 1.88, SIM = 1.22), total cholesterol > or =5 mmol/l (SI = 2.12, SIM = 1.31) and elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level (> or =3 mmol/l) (SI = 1.78, SIM = 1.14). The presence of the D allele (DD + ID subjects) also increased the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with the presence of elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (SI = 1.69, SIM = 1.18, in both cases), elevated level (> or =1.7 mmol/l) of triacylglycerols (SI = 1.81, SIM = 1.18) and overweight/obesity (SI = 4.25, SIM = 2.36). In each case the estimated CAD risk was greater than that predicted by assuming the additivity of effects (the risk increased from 69% for the D allele - total cholesterol interaction to 325% for the D allele - overweight/obesity). The statistical significance was also confirmed by a multiplicative model of synergy. The DD genotype/D allele of the ACE gene increases the risk of CAD associated with the presence of traditional risk factors.