Abstract
Background
The allele threonine (T) of the angiotensinogen has been associated with ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients and soccer players. However, the long-term effect of physical exercise in healthy athletes carrying the T allele remains unknown. We investigated the influence of methionine (M) or T allele of the angiotensinogen and D or I allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme on left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) and maximal aerobic capacity in young healthy individuals after long-term physical exercise training.
Design
Prospective clinical trial.
Methods
Eighty-three policemen aged between 20 and 35 years (mean ± SD 26 ± 4.5 years) were genotyped for the M235T gene angiotensinogen polymorphism (TT, n = 25; MM/MT, n = 58) and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (II, n = 18; DD/DI, n = 65). Left-ventricular morphology was evaluated by echocardiography and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak) by cardiopulmonary exercise test before and after 17 weeks of exercise training (50–80% VO2peak).
Results
Baseline VO2peak and LVMI were similar between TT and MM/MT groups, and II and DD/DI groups. Exercise training increased significantly and similarly VO2peak in homozygous TT and MM/MT individuals, and homozygous II and DD/DI individuals. In addition, exercise training increased significantly LVMI in TT and MM/MT individuals (76.5 ± 3 vs. 86.7 ± 4, P = 0.00001 and 76.2 ± 2 vs. 81.4 ± 2, P = 0.00001, respectively), and II and DD/DI individuals (77.7 ± 4 vs. 81.5 ± 4, P = 0.0001 and 76 ± 2 vs. 83.5 ± 2, P = 0.0001, respectively). However, LVMI in TT individuals was significantly greater than in MM/MT individuals (P = 0.04). LVMI was not different between II and DD/DI individuals.
Conclusion
Left-ventricular hypertrophy caused by exercise training is exacerbated in homozygous TT individuals with angiotensinogen polymorphism.
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