Korean J Nephrol.  2000 May;19(3):444-454.

Relationship between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography and Apolipoprotein E and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in Diabetic Nephropathy

• Kim W
• Kim DS
• Park TS
• Baek HS
• Kang SK
• Park SK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the distribution of the polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and angiotensin converting enzyme gene in patients with diabetic nephropathy and also evaluated possible association between the apolipoprotein E carriers and angioten-sin converting enzyme genotypes and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery.
METHODS
Study participants were 92 patients with diabetic nephropathy(50 men and 42 women). Hb(A1C), albuminuria, and lipid status were assessed by standard laboratory techniques ; the apolipoprotein E carriers were assessed by modified amplification refractory mutation system and the angioten-sin converting enzyme genotypes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction. The intima-media thickness was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography.
RESULTS
The apolipoprotein E frequencies of patients were E2 8%, E3 76%, and E4 16%. The intima-media thickness varied by apo E groups. E2 group has less common carotid intima-media thickness than E3 and E4 groups(p<0.05). The angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes were distributed as follows ; 35% II, 49% ID, 16% DD. The intima-media thickness value did not differ among patients with various angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age and apolipoprotein E genotypes were determinants for the intima-media thickness.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggested that apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in diabetic nephropathy. But, we could not find an association between carotid artery intima-media thickness and angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy.

Keyword

Diabetic nephropathy; Apo E poly-morphism; Angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphisrn; Carotid artery intima-media thickness

MeSH Terms

Albuminuria
Angiotensins*
Apolipoproteins E
Apolipoproteins*
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Artery, Common
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Diabetic Nephropathies*
Genotype
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ultrasonography*
Angiotensins
Apolipoproteins
Apolipoproteins E
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A