ACE Insertion/Deletion polymorphism (rs4646994) affects body composition in middle-aged premenopausal women with essential hypertension

Abstract

This study assesses the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D (rs4646994) polymorphism and body composition parameters in essential hypertension (HT) and menopausal status in Slovak women. The entire study sample comprised 575 women in two groups: 255 with HT and 320 without. Body composition parameters were measured by bioelectric impedance analyzer and ACE I/D polymorphism genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Premenopausal HT women with ACE II genotype had significantly lower body cell mass (p=0.004), extra- and intracellular water (p=0.027; p=0.004), fat free mass and muscle mass (p=0.006; P = 0.003), fat free mass index (p=0.006) and body cell mass index (p=0.003) than their ID/DD counterparts. These associations were not determined in normotensive and/or postmenopausal women. This study confirmed that ACE I/D gene polymorphism affects body composition in HT premenopausal women.