Association between the anglotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism and distance run in Japanese university track athletes

• Published in: Tairyoku kagaku. Japanese journal of physical fitness and sports medicine Vol. 56; no. 2; p. 299
• Main Authors: Min, S, Nakazato, K, Hirose, T, Mizuno, M, Ishii, T, Takahashi, K, Ochi, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2007
• ISSN: 0039-906X

We determined ACE I/D allele frequency amongst 107 Japanese university track athletes. The athletes were grouped from their competitive run distance (SD: less than or equal to 200 m, MD: 400-800 m, LD: 1500-5000 m). We classified 400-5000 m (mixed aerobic and anaerobic)into two groups (MD: less than 50% contribution of aerobic ATP generation, LD: more than 50% of aerobic ATP generation) super(#) to further evaluate the association of I/D polymorphism with distance run. 107 Japanese university track athletes [age:19.5 plus or minus 1.2, years of experience: 7.0 plus or minus 2.0, less than or equal to 200m (n=55), 400-800 m (n=20), 1500-5000 m (n=32)] were genotyped for the DNA polymorphism of the ACE. Buccal cells were donated by the subjects. By using Ampdirect registered (Shimadzu, Japan), the ACE I/D polymorphism was directly typed with Polymerase Chain Reaction without DNA extraction. Genotype and allele frequency between groups were compared by chi super(2) test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The frequencies of the I/D alleles of the ACE were I: 0.54 and D<:0.46. There was an increasing frequency of the I allele with distance run [0.48, 0.50, and 0.67 for SD (n=55), MD(n=20), LD(n=32), among three groups; P = 0.044]. There was an excess of the I allele (frequency 0.67, P=0.006) in the LD group. This study demonstrates a significant association between genetic polymorphism and their competitive run distance in Japanese university track athletes. Especially, we consider that I allele of the ACE gene is associated with more than 1500 m endurance performance.