Abstract
Polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), especially the D/D type, is associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease and progressive deterioration of renal function in previous reports. In this paper, ACE polymorphism was investigated in 120 patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in comparison with normal controls. Uninterruptedly, the association of these polymorphisms with serological parameters in the hemodialytic period (less than 10 years/more than 10 years) were examined. In conclusion, D/D type in ACE polymorphism was significantly (p<0.001) higher in HD patients than in normal control (n=100), but the D/D type was not significantly higher in the longer HD periods. Patients receiving HD for more than 10 years were characterized as the high Kt/V and low I/I type. In conclusion, patients with D/D type in ACE polymorphism were introduced to hemodialysis relatively early, although this type was not associated with HD-period. The I/I type was strongly associated with the levels of Kt/V. Association of genetic factors and laboratory data in patients on maintenance HD were confirmed in this study.
