Role of ACE2 polymorphism in COVID-19: impact of age

More than 2 million people have died as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a counter-regulatory enzyme that converts angiotensin-2 to Ang-(1–7) form in the renin-angiotensin system. Several studies have been analyzed the correlation between ACE2 and COVID-19. Indeed, ACE2/Ang (1–7) system protects the lung against acute respiratory distress syndrome by its anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant function. However, SARS-Cov-2 can use ACE2 for host cell entry. Expression of ACE2 can be altered by several factors, including hypertension, diabetes and obesity, which also could increase the severity of COVID-19 infection. Besides, since androgens increase the expression of ACE-2, males are at higher risks of COVID-19 infection. Although reported statistics showed a significantly different infection risks of COVID-19 between adults and children, the reason behind the different responses is still unclear. This review proposes the effect of ACE polymorphism on the severity of SARS-COV-2 induced pneumonia. The previous meta-analysis regarding the effect of ACE polymorphism on the severity of pneumonia showed that polymorphism only affects the adult’s illness severity and not the children. Two recent meta-analyses examined the effect of ACE polymorphism on the prevalence and mortality rate of COVID-19 and reported contradicting results. Our opinion paper suggests that the effect of ACE polymorphism on the severity of COVID-19 depends on the patients age, same as of the pneumonia.

ACE Genotype Distributions Differ between Sporadic and Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This study investigated the frequency of ACE genotypes in sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and compared these frequencies to those found in the general population and in familial HCM. Delineation of the genotype of a 287 bp fragment in the ACE gene of 10 patients with confirmed sporadic HCM demonstrated that 2 (20%) were of the DD genotype, 5 (50%) of the ID genotype, and 3 (30%) of the II genotype. These genotype distributions did not differ significantly from controls (p < 0.57). Comparison of the present results with genotype frequencies in familial HCM reported in prior studies revealed a significant difference in genotype distribution between sporadic and familial HCM (p < 0.04). These findings indicate that the frequency of the ACE genotype does not appear to differ between patients with sporadic HCM and the general population. However, the results suggest that, with regard to the ACE polymorphism studied, genetic differences may exist between the sporadic and familial forms of HCM.

LACK OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME GENOTYPE AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN PERUVIAN OLDER PEOPLE

Старение может быть связано с уменьшением мышечной силы, а сопутствующими факторами являются заболевания, пол, физическая активность и, возможно, генетические факторы. Среди генетических факторов представляет интерес ренин-ангиотензиновая система, но данные о перуанской популяции отсутствуют. Целью исследования - оценка связи силы сцепления и полиморфизма ангиотензин-конвертазного фермента (АКФ) у пожилых людей в Перу. Было проведено перекрестное исследование в выборке из 104 участников старше 60 лет в Лиме, Перу с анализом полиморфизма АКФ. Мы изучили 104 участника, 46 (44,2%) мужчин и 58 (55,8%) женщин, со средним возрастом и стандартным отклонением ( SD ) 73,7 (7,4) года, в диапазоне 60-90 лет. Частота генотипов D/D, I/D и I/I составила 12,7; 43,7 и 43,7% соответственно. Распределение полиморфизма АKФ по генотипу соответствовало равновесию Харди-Вайнберга ( р =0,746). Средняя ( SD ) сила сцепления при D/D , I/D и I/I полиморфизмах составила 24,8 (7,2); 22,8 (7,2) и 23,4 (7,6) кг соответственно. Не выявлено достоверных различий ( р =0,41) между генетическими группами. В этой небольшой удобной выборке пожилых перуанцев не было обнаружено связи между силой сцепления и генотипом АКФ. Aging can be associated with decreasing muscle strength, and related factors are comorbidities, sex, physical activity, and possibly genetic factors. Among genetic factors the renin-angiotensin system is of interest, but data on the Peruvian population is lacking. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association of grip strength and angiotensin convertase enzyme (ACE) polymorphism in Peruvian older people. A cross-sectional study in a convenience sample of 104 participants over 60 years in Lima, Perú, with analysis of the ACE polymorphism, was performed. We studied 104 participants, 46 men (44,2 %) and 58 women (55,8 %), with a mean age and standard deviation (SD) of 73,7 (7,4) years, range between 60-90 years. The frequency of D/D, I/D and I/I genotypes was 12,7; 43,7 and 43,7 % respectively. The genotype distribution of ACE polymorphism agreed with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ( p =0,746). The mean (SD) of grip strength in the D/D, I/D and I/I polymorphisms were 24,8 (7,2); 22,8 (7,2) and 23,4 (7,6) kg respectively; no significant difference was observed ( p =0,41) between genetic groups. In this small convenience sample of older Peruvians, no association was found between grip strength and ACE genotype.

FREQUENCY OF GENE ACE I POLYMORPHISM I-D IN ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT SPORTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: The angiotensin-converting enzyme I-D (ACE) polymorphism gene is one of the most widely investigated genetic variations in sports science. Apparently, allele I is related to endurance sports, while allele D is related to power-strength activities. Nevertheless, studies have presented controversial results when it comes as to its occurrence in a variety of sports. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the frequency of gene ACE polymorphism I-D in professional athletes of collective or individual sports. Methods: Five mL blood were collected from 189 subjects divided into two groups: athletes (AG, n=127, wrestling, taekwondo, soccer, futsal and handball) and non-athletes (NAG, n=62). The athletes group was subdivided by group modalities, into: collective and individual. Both groups were further subdivided into male and female. Thus, we have the groups FAC= collective female, FAI= individual female, MAC= collective male, and MAI= individual male. The statistical analysis was carried out by frequency test, and the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium by the x² test. Results: The results for the AG group indicated the following frequencies: DD=7%, ID=44% and II=49%. Allele frequency: D=29% and I=71%. For the NAG, the results were: DD=6.5%, ID=45.2% and II=48%. Allele frequency: D=29% and I=71%. The AG genotypic and allele frequencies did not differ statistically from those of the NAG (p= 0.982 and p= 0.984, respectively). However, we noticed that the genotypes II and ID frequencies were significantly higher than those of the DD. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the genotypic and allelic I-D frequencies of the ACE gene do not seem to influence performance in either group or individual sports. ACTN3 genotype frequencies did not vary significantly between male and female control subjects, and overall, there was no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) equilibrium. Level of evidence I; Diagnostic studies–Investigating diagnostic test.

Strength and Endurance Training in Older Women in Relation to ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D Polymorphisms

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of two genetic polymorphisms, ACTN3 R577X, and ACE I/D, on physical condition in a sample of active older women after a two-year training period. The sample was composed of 300 healthy women over the age of 60 who underwent a two-year training program. Adapted tests from the Senior Fitness Test were used. The genotyping of the polymorphisms was obtained from the participants’ DNA via buccal swabs. The analysis of the ACE polymorphism did not reveal differences between genotypes. The analysis of the R577X polymorphism showed a favorable effect for the ACTN3 XX genotype in tests for leg strength (p: 0.001) after training, compared to the other genotypes, and also in the analysis of the combined effect of the polymorphism (ACE II + ACTN3 RX/XX). The intragroup effect revealed an improvement in arm strength for carriers of the X allele after 24 months of training (p < 0.05). The endurance values significantly worsened in all study groups. Conclusions: The R577X polymorphism of ACTN3 may have an important role in capacities related to muscle strength, providing a beneficial effect for carriers of the X allele.