INTRODUCTION: Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene influenced the plasma concentration of the ACE, and is D allele have been repetitively suggested as a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundert thirty six male myocardial infarction survivors under 65 years and with body mass index and total plasma cholesterol levels under 95% of the Czech population were included in the study. As control group, 302 male controls (1% randomly selected group from the Czech population) were genotyped. I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene was determined using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The prevalence of the I/I, I/D and D/D genotypes was 0.218, 0.494 and 0.288, in the control group, and 0.178, 0.538 and 0.284, in the myocardial survivors, respectively. The male Czech population has the similar frequency of insertion and deletion alleles compared to other Caucasian populations. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of the ACE gene did not differ significantly between MI survivors and a control sample of the Czech population. CONCLUSION: It was shown that the I/D polymorphism in the gene for ACE is not a genetic risk factor for myocardial infarction in the Czech population.

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PubMedDate not supplied

[Arteriosclerosis risk factors in the offspring and siblings of type 2 diabetics].

Risk factors of atherosclerosis were examined in 63 offspring and 30 siblings of type 2 diabetics and in 22 controls. Clinical complications of atherosclerosis were not found very frequently in direct relatives of diabetic patients. Diabetes was detected in 17% siblings, an impaired glucose tolerance in 11% of the offspring and in 33% siblings. The offspring of diabetics had higher blood sugar values and serum insulin levels on fasting and after stimulation, as compared with controls; as to other metabolic parameters lipids and apolipoproteins, body mass indexes, uricaemia, glycated proteins, C-peptide), the two groups did not differ significantly. In middle age, i.e. in siblings of diabetic patients, the incidence of obesity rose significantly as well as hyperlipoproteinaemia type IV and hypertension, while smoking was less common than in offspring. The glucose tolerance deteriorated further, although the insulin levels did not increase substantially. The mentioned findings indicate the orientation for preventive provisions in families of type 2 diabetics.

Adult↗