Objective: To elucidate the interaction between the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and hypertensive type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Method: I/D polymorphism in ACE gene was determined with PCR technique in 82 hypertensive and 117 non-hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.
Results: The comparison between the 2 groups revealed a significant difference in DD/DI/II genotype distribution and D/I allele carrying (chi(2)=6.41, P<0.05), indicating an association of DD genotype and D allele carrying with the occurrence of hypertensive type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients with I/D polymorphism in ACE gene complicated by hypertension had 1.32 times higher risk than non-hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, and the course of hypertensive type 2 diabetes was significantly lengthened. No significant difference of I/D polymorphism in ACE gene was identified between normotensive diabetic patients and diabetic patients with elevated diastolic blood pressure, but the close correlation was found between normotensive diabetic patients and diabetic patients with elevated systolic pressure.
Conclusions: I/D polymorphism in ACE gene contributed to development of hypertensive type 2 diabetes. D allele might be an important risk factor for hypertensive type 2 diabetes, and elevation of diastolic blood pressure plays an important role in the occurrence of hypertensive type 2 diabetes.