Meta-analysis of the association between the insertion/deletion polymorphism in ACE gene and coronary heart disease among the Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

Many studies have suggested that the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene might be involved in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, the authors performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and CHD susceptibility among the Chinese population.

METHODS

Published literature from PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI and Wan Fang Data was searched. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a fixed or random-effects model.

RESULTS

Forty-six studies (5215 cases and 4782 controls) were identified. The results from the meta-analysis indicated statistically significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism and CHD risk under all three genetic models (co-dominant model DD vs. II: OR=2.40, 95% CI 2.02-2.84, DI vs. II: OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34; dominant model: OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70; recessive model: OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.86-2.45; multiplicative model: OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.43-1.72 ). Further sensitivity analysis confirmed the significant association.

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis indicated a significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism and CHD susceptibility among the Chinese population. However, further studies with the consideration of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions should be conducted to investigate the association.