The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in Lithuanian professional athletes

Background. Human ACE gene was one of the first genes to be associated with human physical performance. Previous studies have indicated that Alu insertion and deletion polymorphism (I/D polymorphism) in the ACE gene may be associated with elite athlete status. Materials and methods.ACE I/D polymorphism was investigated by PCR and gel electrophoresis in 561 Lithuanian professional athletes and in 174 samples from general population of Lithuania. Results. Genotypes for athletes were identified as I/I 24.8%, I/D 47.2% and D/D 28% (χ2 = 1.65, p = 0.19) and in the population samples as I/I 24.1%, I/D 38.5% and 37.4% (χ2 = 8.13, p = 0.004). In comparison with the general Lithuanian population, the tested athletes had a lower frequency of ACE D allele. The results of this research contradict the results reported on other populations: the D/D genotype was found to be less frequent in all Lithuanian athlete groups than in general population, whereas, according to other researchers, the D/D genotype is more frequent in athletes. Athletes assigned to the endurance sports group had a lower frequency of the D/D genotype than athletes in the speed / strength group, whereas other researchers have reported a higher frequency of D/D genotype in endurance groups. Conclusion. The ACE D/D genotype was less frequent in athletes than in the general population. Athletes of endurance sports had a higher frequency of D/D genotype than athletes assigned to the speed / strength sports group. These results do not support the results of other investigations conducted in other populations, in which the I allele of the ACE gene was found to determine superior endurance.