OBJECTIVETo explore the polymorphism angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in Han populations and its relevance to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODSThe ACE genotype distribution was detected in 169 patients [aged (62.0 +/-9.9) years] with coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed with angiography and in 168 normal controls [aged (61.0 +/-7.7) years]. The severity of coronary lesions in the patients was assessed by the number of major coronary arteries with more than 50% luminal obstructions and by the Gensini coronary score. Associations of the severity of coronary artery lesions with the ACE I/D polymorphism in the patients were analyzed.

RESULTThe frequencies of the ACE genotype in the CAD patients were 0.296 for DD, 0.391 for ID, and 0.314 for II genotypes, while in the normal controls the genotype distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (DD, 0.161; ID, 0.512; II, 0.327); a significantly excess of the DD genotype in CAD patients was found (P<0.01). No associations were observed between the ACE polymorphism and the number of significantly stenosed coronary arteries.

CONCLUSIONThe ACE gene polymorphism is a significant predictor for CAD in the Han population but is not a marker for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.