Impact of I/D polymorphism of ACE gene on risk of development and course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Increased Frequency of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme D Allele in Asian Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis

At present, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism was considered to be associated to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the association between it and the risk of COPD in different ethnic groups is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to conduct an updated meta-analysis of the association between them; collect literatures published before 10 February 2023 by searching PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP Chinese scientific databases; and display the analysis results by drawing forest plots. At the same time, publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed to evaluate the stability and reliability of the results. In the overall population, the result of the DD versus II model showed the association with the risk of COPD ([OR] = 1.30, 95% CI [1.08, 1.56]), and there were no associations in other genetic models (p > 0.05). In Caucasians, the results of all genetic models showed no associations (p > 0.05). In Asians, the results of D versus I, DD versus II, and DD versus II + ID models showed the associations with the risk of COPD (D vs. I: [OR] = 1.48, 95% CI [1.14, 1.93]; DD vs. II: [OR] = 2.04, 95% CI [1.53, 2.72]; DD vs. II + ID: [OR] = 2.19, 95% CI [1.45, 3.29]), while the results of ID versus II and DD + ID versus II models showed no associations (p > 0.05). Therefore, the D allele and "DD" genotype variation of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism are associated with susceptibility to COPD in Asians but not in Caucasians.

Genetic variants affecting chemical mediated skin immunotoxicity

The skin is an immune-competent organ and this function may be impaired by exposure to chemicals, which may ultimately result in immune-mediated dermal disorders. Interindividual variability to chemical-induced skin immune reactions is associated with intrinsic individual characteristics and their genomes. In the last 30-40 years, several genes influencing susceptibility to skin immune reactions were identified. The aim of this review is to provide information regarding common genetic variations affecting skin immunotoxicity. The polymorphisms selected for this review are related to xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (CYPA1 and CYPB1 genes), antioxidant defense (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes), aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway (AHR and ARNT genes), skin barrier function transepidermal water loss (FLG, CASP14, and SPINK5 genes), inflammation (TNF, IL10, IL6, IL18, IL31, and TSLP genes), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and neuroendocrine system peptides (CALCA, TRPV1, ACE genes). These genes present variants associated with skin immune responses and diseases, as well as variants associated with protecting skin immune homeostasis following chemical exposure. The molecular and association studies focusing on these genetic variants may elucidate their functional consequences and contribution in the susceptibility to skin immunotoxicity. Providing information on how genetic variations affect the skin immune system may reduce uncertainties in estimating chemical hazards/risks for human health in the future.

IFN-γ +874 A>T (rs2430561) gene polymorphism and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The role of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) +874 A>T (rs2430561) gene polymorphism has been evaluated in different ethnicities with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) infection, and inconsistent results have been reported. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to determine the precise association between IFN-γ +874 A>T gene polymorphism and PTB susceptibility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 21 studies comprising 4281 confirmed PTB cases and 5186 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis by searching the PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, and Google Scholar web-databases.

RESULTS

We observed reduced risk of PTB in allelic contrast (T vs. A: p = 0.001; OR = 0.818, 95% CI: 0.723-0.926), homozygous (TT vs. AA: p = 0.017; OR = 0.715, 95% CI: 0.543-0.941), heterozygous (AT vs. AA: p = 0.002; OR = 0.782, 95% CI: 0.667-0.917), dominant (TT+AT vs. AA: p = 0.002; OR = 0.768, 95% CI: 0.652-0.906), and recessive (TT vs. AA+AT: p = 0.042; OR = 0.802, 95% CI: 0.649-0.992) genetic models. In ethnicity-wise subgroup analysis, reduced risk of PTB was found in the Caucasian population. However, we did not find an association with any of the genetic models in the Asian population.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the IFN-γ +874 A>T gene polymorphism is significantly associated with reduced risk of PTB, showing a protective effect in the overall and in the Caucasian population. However, this polymorphism is not associated with PTB risk in the Asian population.

Plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone concentration and selected organ damage indices in essential arterial hypertension

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess the relations between plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone concentration (ALDO) and selected asymptomatic organ damage (AOD) indices in mild primary arterial hypertension (AH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We measured PRA, ALDO, and selected AOD indices (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), central aortic pulse pressure (cPP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) in 122 patients with untreated AH.

RESULTS

Patients with high PRA (≥ 0.65 ng/ml/h) were characterized by lower plasma sodium and aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR), higher ALDO, but a similar level of AOD indices compared to patients with low PRA. cfPWV (p = 0.04) and cPP (p = 0.019) increased with ARR, while eGFR decreased with ALDO (p = 0.008). Only eGFR was independently correlated with ALDO. In subjects with simultaneously high PRA and ARR values, we found significantly higher cfPWV (p = 0.02) and cPP (p = 0.04) and lower eGFR (p = 0.02) than in those with high PRA but low ARR values.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of the influence of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on AOD should include the relationship between renin and aldosterone. The PRA itself has no predictive value for AOD. More advanced arterial stiffness and renal impairment are associated with increased PRA and ARR. The RAAS activity might be useful in AOD prediction and hypertension severity assessment.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study on north Indian population

This research aimed to explore the ACE (insertion/deletion) gene association as key factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development in north Indian population. A total of 200 clinically diagnosed patients with COPD were selected against 200 healthy individuals. Genetic variations of ACE (insertion/deletion) were evaluated by using polymerase chain reaction techniques. Smoker showed higher risk of COPD (OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.12-2.48, P=0.012). Present results revealed the positive association between the DD genotype and the risk of COPD (OR= 2.14, 95% CI=1.22-3.78, P=0.006). Among smokers, DD genotype showed statistically significant association with increased risk of COPD (OR=3.10, 95% CI= 1.50-6.47, P=0.001).

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

Objectives:

We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as with pulmonary function and circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme changes.

Methods:

A literature search, quality assessment and data extraction were completed independently and in duplicate.

Results:

A total of 16 articles were meta-analysed, including 12 articles (2113 patients and 8786 controls) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk and eight articles (11,664 subjects) for pulmonary and circulating phenotypes. In overall and subgroup analyses, no significance was noted between the I/D polymorphism and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk under all genetic models (P>0.05), without heterogeneity or publication bias. Carriers of II, ID and II plus ID genotypes had significantly lower levels of circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme than those with the DD genotype (weighted mean difference −13.35, −8.13 and −10.74 U/L, respectively, P<0.001). For forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity, carriers of the DD genotype had marginally lower levels than those with the DD genotype (weighted mean difference –1.66, P=0.034). Furthermore in the case of FEV₁ of 50% or greater of predicted FEV₁, FEV₁ was marginally lower in ID genotype carriers than DD genotype carriers (weighted mean difference −3.50, P=0.056).

Conclusions:

Our meta-analytical findings demonstrated that the ACE gene I/D polymorphism was not associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Analysis of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase & Serotonin Gene Polymorphisms among Atrial Septal Defect Subjects with and without Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Genetic polymorphisms are variations in DNA sequences which can influence either disease susceptibility, severity, or prognosis. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the complications that occurs in certain patients who have atrial septal defect (ASD). This study seeks to determine the association of gene polymorphisms with the pathogenesis of PAH in ASD patients. This study was conducted on 30 ASD patients with PAH, and 50 ASD patients who were not diagnosed with PAH. All respondents were Malay. Patients were selected based on stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Molecular analyses were done to detect the genetic polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE I/D), serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) G894T, and eNOS 4b/4a. The genotypes of these genetic polymorphisms were determined using conventional PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. The PCR products were analysed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 22. Clinical characteristics, such as the diameter of ASD, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) differed significantly (p < 0.05). Based on the statistical analysis, ACE I/D, eNOS G894T, and eNOS 4b/4a do not contribute to the progression of PAH amongst ASD patients (p > 0.05). However, the L allele of the 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism may have an affect on the development of PAH in ASD patients (p < 0.05).

ACE gene polymorphism is associated with COPD and COPD with pulmonary hypertension: a meta-analysis

Purpose

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism has been studied in relation to the susceptibility to COPD and COPD with pulmonary hypertension (PH) with inconclusive results. We performed the first comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate accurately the association between the ACE gene polymorphism and the risk of COPD.

Methods

Data were analyzed using odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% CIs to measure the strength of the models. Subgroup analyses were conducted by ethnicity and complication which referred to PH.

Results

In total, 15 studies (2,635 participants) were included in our study, of which four studies (288 participants) were for PH subgroup. The overall analysis results indicated that the ACE gene polymorphism was not associated with COPD susceptibility in all gene models. However, the ethnic subgroup analysis results indicated that ACE gene polymorphism was associated with Asians’ susceptibility to COPD (DD+DI vs II, OR=1.47, P=0.019, 95% CI: 1.07–2.02). Further, the overall results of the present study detected no statistical significance between ACE gene polymorphism and the risk of COPD with PH, but the homozygote variant (DD) increased the risk of PH in Asian COPD patients (DD vs ID+II, OR=2.05, P=0.05, 95% CI: 1.00–4.19).

Conclusion

The current study suggests that ACE polymorphism, particularly the homozygote variant (DD), might contribute to the risk of COPD and COPD with PH among Asians. Further studies with larger sample size and more ethnicities are expected to be conducted in the future to validate the results.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: A Promising Medication for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disorder that primarily affects the lungs and is characterized not only by local pulmonary, but also by systemic inflammation which promotes the development of extrapulmonary and cardiovascular co-morbidities. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are widely used drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with growing evidence suggesting potential benefits in COPD patients. The purpose of this review is to describe the correlation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with COPD pathophysiology and to present the latest data regarding the potential role of RAS blockers in COPD.