Impact of angiotension I converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism on running performance, lipid, and biochemical parameters in ultra-marathoners

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(29):e16476. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016476.

Abstract

The insertion (I) or deletion (D) polymorphism in the angiotension I converting enzyme gene, (ACE I/D, rs1799752) is associated with human exercise endurance and performance. However, most of the aforementioned studies focus on marathons, swimming, and triathlons, while the ACE polymorphism in ultra-marathoners has not yet been reported. We studied the impact of ACE I/D polymorphism in ultra-marathoners and investigated its relationship with lipid profiles, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in runners before and after ultra-marathon racing.This observational study used data from a 100-km ultra-marathon in Taipei, Taiwan. Twenty-four male participants were analyzed for their ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism, lipid profiles, hs-CRP, IL-6 in serum immediately before and after ultra-marathon running.In our 24 subjects analyzed, 7, 14, and 3 subjects were of I/I, I/D, and D/D genotypes, respectively. Runners with the D polymorphism (I/D and D/D) showed a trend of better performance in the 100-km ultra-marathon (measured by completion time in minutes, P = .036). In this group, the previous best marathon performance was also significantly better than the I/I group (P = .047). After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), the difference in performance was not significant. Ketone levels, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels were highly increased at immediately and 24-hour post-race. No correlation was found between different ACE polymorphisms and common biochemical parameters examined.We report the first study in the impact of the ACE I/D (rs1799752) on ultra-marathoners. Presence of the D polymorphism in ACE gene is associated with better performance, although the BMI of the runners contribute as a major factor. There was no difference in the biochemical or lipid parameters measured among different ACE polymorphisms.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Ketones / blood
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Running / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Ketones
  • Lipids
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • ACE protein, human
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A