Association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and first-episode patients with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population

• Published in: Human psychopharmacology 2014-05, Vol.29 (3), p.274-279
• Main Authors: Hui, Li, Wu, Jing Qin, Zhang, Xuan, Lv, Jie, Du, Wei Li, Kou, Chang Gui, Yu, Ya Qin, Lv, Meng Han, Chen, Da Chun, Zhang, Xiang Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; angiotensin-converting enzyme; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics; association; Case-Control Studies; China; Female; First-episode patients with schizophrenia; Gene Frequency; genetic polymorphism; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A - genetics; Polymorphism, Genetic; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Schizophrenia - genetics; Schizophrenic Psychology; Sequence Deletion
• ISSN: 0885-6222; 1099-1077
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2396

Background Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme of the renin–angiotensin system, can modulate dopamine turnover in the midbrain. Previous studies have revealed an association between ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and chronic schizophrenia, yet results are conflicting. Objective The primary objective of this study was to examine whether the ACE gene I/D polymorphism is associated with first‐episode patients with schizophrenia (FEP) in a Chinese Han population. Methods The presence of the polymorphism was determined in 220 FEP and 538 healthy controls using a case–control design. We assessed the psychopathology in 212 FEP using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results The allelic and genotypic frequencies of the ACE gene I/D polymorphism did not significantly differ between FEP and healthy controls (both p > 0.05). However, the negative PANSS symptom was significantly higher in FEP with the D/D genotype than those with I/D and I/I genotypes (all p