The importance of association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Gene I/D polymorphism and diabetic peripheral neuropathy

• DPN is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy.
• ACE has important functions on neuroendocrine metabolism.
• DD genotype was found to be a susceptibility factor for DPN.

BackgroundDiabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) due to decreasing quality of life. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Gene I/D polymorphism in Turkish population.Materials and methodsTwo hundred and thirty-five DPN patients and two hundred and eighty-one controls were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for the ACE gene I/D polymorphism.ResultsBaseline characteristics of the DPN patients according to ACE genotypes were similar, except for history of hypertension. The frequency of II genotype was significantly higher in patients with positive history of hypertension than the patients with negative history of hypertension (p = 0.013). DD genotype of I/D polymorphism was found to be a susceptibility factor for DPN in homozygous form (p = 0.032). According to allele frequencies, D allele of I/D polymorphism was found to be a susceptibility factor for DPN (p = 0.031).ConclusionACE gene I/D polymorphism may research in DM patients to determine genetic predisposition for DPN. It can be useful for taking early measures and avoiding DPN in a Turkish population.