Ace insertion deletion polymorphism and microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetic children

Abstract EN

Background: diabetic nephropathy is the most serious complication of diabetes mellitus, and other complications of diabetes as hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are also common in this group of patients.

There is considerable evidence that nephropathy is influenced by genetic factors irrespective of glycemic control.

The association of the insertion / deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene with cardiovascular disease and diabetic nephropathy remains a controversial issue. Objectives: We investigated the relationship between the ACE gene I / D polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

We also tested plasma and urinary aldosterone levels that can be affected by plasma levels of ACE and also considered as risk hormone for CVD.

Plasma and urinary cortisol levels were also measured that are affected by ACE inhibition treatment. Research design and methods: forty-eight type 1 diabetic patients were included in the study.

Their mean age was 11.9 ± 4.8 SD (5- 21 years) and their mean duration of diabetes was 6.4 ± 3.1 year (5-16 year).

Fourteen patients had micro albuminuria and were on ACE inhibition treatment.

For all patients, blood pressure, body mass index, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, mean HbA1c (over the last 2 years preceding the study), plasma and urinary aldosterone and cortisol were assessed.

ACE genotyping was done for 8 patients with micro albuminuria and 24 patients with norm albuminuria.

Twenty-five healthy age and sex matched control subjects were included for assessment of plasma and urinary aldosterone and cortisol.