RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is expressed at high levels in the lungs and plays a role in the metabolism of the endogenous peptides involved in asthma pathogenesis. ACE gene polymorphisms have been reported to be linked to asthma. However, the results are conflicting, with no reported studies on Egyptian asthmatics. We aimed to assess ACE gene polymorphism among Egyptian asthmatics, and to determine its possible association with asthma severity. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 30 adult asthmatic patients, and 30 healthy controls with no history of asthma or atopy. Atopic status among asthmatics was determined by skin prick test (SPT). Lung functions were assessed by spirometry. Determination of ACE genotypes was performed for all subjects. Total serum IgE levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The frequencies of the DD, ID and II genotypes were 46.7%, 40%, and 13.3%, respectively among the cases, and 33.3%, 40%, and 26.7%, respectively among the controls. No significant differences in ACE genotype distribution were observed between cases and controls (p=0.37). Genotype distribution did not differ according to age of onset or severity of asthma, total serum IgE levels, SPT positivity, or number of positive SPT reactions. Furthermore, ACE polymorphism was not statistically different between asthmatic patients without any associated atopic disease and those with an associated atopic disease. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that ACE gene polymorphism is not significantly associated with bronchial asthma or with its severity among Egyptian adults.