Genetic Variability Associated with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Gene Polymorphism in Sportsmen Pursuing Different Sports

The purpose of the study was to determine angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms in sportsmen and sedentary individuals and to evaluate the differences in frequencies of ACE genotype and allele distribution among sportsmen who are involved in different sports. In this study 255 participants were analysed: 116 sedentary individuals and 139 sportsmen. Sportsmen were differentiated into separate groups according to various sports: endurance, strength requiring, cyclic and acyclic sports. DNA was purified from peripheral blood with a DNA purification kit "Fermentas". ACE gene polymorphic region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA electrophoresis was used to separate DNA fragments by size. Bands were visualised under ultra violet (UV) light. The frequency of D allele was higher than I allele in sedentary individuals; the sportsmen had higher frequency of I allele. The X² test showed allele selection in sedentary individuals. Frequency of the I allele among the individuals who belong to endurance requiring sports was higher than was the D allele, while among the individuals who belong to sports requiring strength, the D and I allele frequences were equal. Differences in the individuals who belong to acyclic sports group were not significant — the frequency of I allele was much higher than D in the cyclic sports group. D allele frequency was twice higher than I allele among wrestlers.