Comparison of the Genetic Profile of rs4646994 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of the ACE Gene in the Elite Male Weightlifters and Non-athletes

The ACE gene encodes the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is characterized by the presence of allele I or the absence of allele D of a 287-bp fragment. The D allele is associated with higher ACE activity and increased angiotensin II levels and performance in strength-oriented exercise tasks. This study aimed to compare the genetic profile of rs4646994 single nucleotide polymorphism of the ACE gene in the elite male weightlifters and non-athletes.

In total, 30 elite male weightlifters (league, country, national team, Asian, world, and Olympic champions) living in Isfahan province along with 43 healthy non-athlete volunteers who were matched in age, height, and weight to the elite group formed the subjects of the study. After completing the consent form, saliva samples were collected from the participants, and after DNA extraction, ACE genotypes were determined using PCR-RLFP and electrophoresis techniques. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression in SPSS software (version 20).
(Ethic code: 7993)

The results showed that the prevalence of D allele in elite weightlifters and non-athletes was significantly higher than allele I in their groups (P<0.05). Moreover, in the genotyping distribution, D/I was most common both in the study population (7.50%), as well as weightlifters (7.56%) and non-athletes (5.46%). However, there was no significant difference in the elite weightlifters and non-athletes regarding the distribution of D/I ACE genotyping (χ2=0/31).

The study showed a positive relationship between Iranian elite weightlifters and the ACE D allele, which probably distinguishes it as one of the effective genetic factors in creating a strength phenotype of Iranian weightlifters.