Artery Research

Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2010, Pages 162 - 162

P4.04 IMPAIRED ABDOMINAL AORTIC WALL INTEGRITY IN ELDERLY MEN CARRYING THE ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME D-ALLELE

Authors
L.U. Ljungberg1, 2, R. De Basso1, U. Alehagen1, H.M. Björck1, K. Persson2, U. Dahlström1, T. Länne1
1Linköping University, Dept of Medical and Health Sciences, Div of Cardiovascular Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
2Linköping University, Dept of Medical and Health Sciences, Div of Drug Research, Linköping, Sweden
Available Online 2 December 2010.
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2010.10.056How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Objective: A genetic polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (ACE I/D polymorphism) has been associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. A link between aortic aneurysm and aortic stiffness has been suggested. However, no study has previously investigated the relationship between ACE and abdominal aortic wall integrity. The aim of this study was to explore the links between ACE I/D polymorphism, circulating ACE, and abdominal aortic wall integrity determined by abdominal aortic wall stiffness.

Methods: The study population consisted of 406 subjects (212 men and 194 women), 70–88 years. Diastolic lumen diameter, pulsatile diameter change and intima-media thickness were measured and used to calculate the cross-sectional compliance (CC), distensibility coefficient (DC), stiffness β and wall stress. ACE genotype was determined by PCR followed by gel electrophoresis, and circulating ACE level was measured using ELISA.

Results: Male carriers of the ACE D allele had a lower distensibility coefficient than II carriers (ID/DD 8.09 vs. II 10.38, p=0.017). Multiple regression analyses adjusting for confounding factors showed significant associations between the ACE D-allele and increased stiffness β as well as reduced CC. No significant association between abdominal aortic stiffness and the ACE D-allele was found in women.

Conclusion: This study showed, for the first time, a gender-specific association between the ACE-D allele and abdominal aortic wall mechanics, with men carrying the ACE D-allele having stiffer abdominal aortas compared to II carriers. Increased abdominal aortic stiffness indicates impaired vessel wall integrity, which along with other local predisposing factors, may increase the risk of aneurysm formation.

Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
4 - 4
Pages
162 - 162
Publication Date
2010/12/02
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2010.10.056How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - L.U. Ljungberg
AU  - R. De Basso
AU  - U. Alehagen
AU  - H.M. Björck
AU  - K. Persson
AU  - U. Dahlström
AU  - T. Länne
PY  - 2010
DA  - 2010/12/02
TI  - P4.04 IMPAIRED ABDOMINAL AORTIC WALL INTEGRITY IN ELDERLY MEN CARRYING THE ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME D-ALLELE
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 162
EP  - 162
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2010.10.056
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2010.10.056
ID  - Ljungberg2010
ER  -