A polymerphism of the angiorensin-converting enzyme gene according to the asthma severity

Cho, Jae Youn; Cha, Dae Ryoung; Han, Seon Ae; Lee, Sang Yeub; Lee, Shin Hyung; Kang, Sea Yong; Shim, Jae Jeong; Kang, Kyeong Ho; Yoo, Se Hwa; In, Kwang Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has a major role in the degradation of bradykinin, tachykinin, substance P which are associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. The other role of ACE is the genesis of angiotensin II which causes bronchial smooth muscle contraction. The deletion polymorphism of ACE gene(DDtype) may be related to the high serum level of ACE.
OBJECTIVE
We studied to evaluate an association between the insertion /deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and asthma, and its severity. Materials and methods: Sixty asthmatic patients and 44 healthy controls were enrolled. Severity of asthma was classified by the guideline of NHLBI/WHO workshop. The ACE genotypes of all the subjects were determined by polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
The distribution of ACE genotypes were not significantly different between healthy controls and asthma group (p)0.05). In asthmatic patients, the genetic polymorphism was similar between different severity groups (p) 0.05). Conchcsion: It is suggested that I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene may not be associated with development of asthma. The severity of asthma may not be influenced by I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene.