Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism affects early cardiac response to professional training in young footballers

Association of FAAH rs324420 (C385A) Polymorphism with High-Level Performance in Volleyball Players

Genetic variants are recognized to affect athletic performance, partially by modulating competition-facilitating behavior. In this study, the role of three genetic variants previously linked to athlete status was investigated among elite volleyball players. A total of 228 players (26.7 ± 8.1 years old) participating in the Portuguese championship and with multiple medalists in national and international competitions were evaluated in terms of anthropometrics, training regime, sports experience, and a history of sports lesions. SNP genotyping was conducted by means of TaqMan^® Allelic Discrimination Methodology. Volleyball players showed significantly different anthropometric indicators and training habits according to sex (p < 0.05). The A allele of the genetic variant Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) rs324420 (C385A) was shown to be significantly associated with superior athletic achievements under a dominant genetic model (AA/AC vs. CC, odds ratio (OR) = 1.70; 95% Cl, 0.93-3.13; p = 0.026; p < 0.001 after Bootstrap), which was corroborated by a multivariable analysis (AA/AC vs. CC adjusted OR = 2.00; 95% Cl, 1.04-3.82; p = 0.037). Age and hand length were also found to be independently associated with high-level performance (p < 0.05). Our results confirm the role of FAAH in athletic performance. More investigation into this polymorphism's potential impact on stress coping, pain, and inflammation regulation in sport, particularly in the scope of lesions prevention and treatment, is required.

Genetic association research in football: A systematic review

Genetic variation is responsible for a large amount of the inter-individual performance disparities seen in sport. As such, in the last ten years genetic association studies have become more common; with one of the most frequently researched sports being football. However, the progress and methodological rigour of genetic association research in football is yet to be evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to identify and evaluate all genetic association studies involving football players and outline where and how future research should be directed. Firstly, a systematic search was conducted in the Pubmed and SPORTDiscus databases, which identified 80 eligible studies. Progression analysis revealed that 103 distinct genes have been investigated across multiple disciplines; however, research has predominately focused on the association of the ACTN3 or ACE gene. Furthermore, 55% of the total studies have been published within the last four years; showcasing that genetic association research in football is increasing at a substantial rate. However, there are several methodological inconsistencies which hinder research implications, such as; inadequate description or omission of ethnicity and on-field positions. Furthermore, there is a limited amount of research on several key areas crucial to footballing performance, in particular; psychological related traits. Moving forward, improved research designs, larger sample sizes, and the utilisation of genome-wide and polygenic profiling approaches are recommended. Finally, we introduce the Football Gene Project, which aims to address several of these limitations and ultimately facilitate greater individualised athlete development within football.

FREQUENCY OF GENE ACE I POLYMORPHISM I-D IN ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT SPORTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: The angiotensin-converting enzyme I-D (ACE) polymorphism gene is one of the most widely investigated genetic variations in sports science. Apparently, allele I is related to endurance sports, while allele D is related to power-strength activities. Nevertheless, studies have presented controversial results when it comes as to its occurrence in a variety of sports. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the frequency of gene ACE polymorphism I-D in professional athletes of collective or individual sports. Methods: Five mL blood were collected from 189 subjects divided into two groups: athletes (AG, n=127, wrestling, taekwondo, soccer, futsal and handball) and non-athletes (NAG, n=62). The athletes group was subdivided by group modalities, into: collective and individual. Both groups were further subdivided into male and female. Thus, we have the groups FAC= collective female, FAI= individual female, MAC= collective male, and MAI= individual male. The statistical analysis was carried out by frequency test, and the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium by the x² test. Results: The results for the AG group indicated the following frequencies: DD=7%, ID=44% and II=49%. Allele frequency: D=29% and I=71%. For the NAG, the results were: DD=6.5%, ID=45.2% and II=48%. Allele frequency: D=29% and I=71%. The AG genotypic and allele frequencies did not differ statistically from those of the NAG (p= 0.982 and p= 0.984, respectively). However, we noticed that the genotypes II and ID frequencies were significantly higher than those of the DD. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the genotypic and allelic I-D frequencies of the ACE gene do not seem to influence performance in either group or individual sports. ACTN3 genotype frequencies did not vary significantly between male and female control subjects, and overall, there was no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) equilibrium. Level of evidence I; Diagnostic studies–Investigating diagnostic test.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Related-Polymorphisms on Inflammation, Muscle and Myocardial Damage After a Marathon Race

Muscle damage is one of the most important factors that affect muscle fatigue during endurance exercise. Recent evidence suggests that the renin–angiotensin system impacts on skeletal muscle wasting. The aim of this study was to determine association between the AGT Met235Thr, ACE I/D and BDKRB2 −9/+9 polymorphisms with inflammation, myocardial and muscle injury induced by endurance exercise. Eighty-one Brazilian male runners participated in this study and completed the International Marathon of Sao Paulo. Muscle and myocardial damage markers (alanine transaminase, ALT, aspartate transaminase, AST, lactic dehydrogenase, LDH, creatine kinase, CK, Troponin, pro BNP, myoglobin, and CK-MB) and inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL12p70, IL1β, and TNF-α) were determined one day before, immediately after, one day after, and three days after the event. Muscle damage was also determined fifteen days after race and angiotensinogen (AGT) Met235Thr, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, and Bradykinin B2 receptor (BDKRB2) −9/+9 polymorphisms were determined. Marathon race participation induced an increase in all muscle damage and inflammatory markers evaluated (p < 0.0001). The muscle damage markers, troponin and pro BNP, CK and LDH and inflammatory markers, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and IL-10 were also higher in ACE II genotype immediately after race, compared to DD genotype. The percentage of runners higher responders (>500U/I) to CK levels was higher for II genotypes (69%) compared to DD and ID genotypes (38% and 40%, respectively) immediately after. Troponin, pro BNP and IL-1β, IL-8 levels were also elevated in AGT MM genotype compared to TT genotype athletes after and/or one day after race. BDKRB2 −9/−9 had pronounced response to LDH, CK, CK-MB and ALT and AST activities, myoglobin, troponin, IL-6, IL-8 levels immediately, one day and/or three days after race. The percentage of runners higher responders (>500U/I) to CK levels was greater for −9−9 and −9+9 genotypes (46 and 48%, respectively) compared to +9+9 genotypes (31%) immediately after. ACE II, AGT MM, and BDKRB2 −9−9 genotypes may increase the susceptibility to inflammation, muscle injury after endurance exercise and could be used to predict the development of clinical conditions associated with muscle damage and myocardial injury.

Do ACE and CKMM gene variations have potent effects on physical performance in inactive male adolescents?

We studied to ascertain whether the ACE and/or CKMM genotypes independently influence the baseline level of some sport performances in 613 inactive male adolescents (mean ± SD age: 13.24 ± 0.28 years). All DNA samples were extracted and genotyped for ACE I/D and CKMM A/G polymorphisms using a PCR based procedure. One-way analysis of covariance was used to examine the discrepancies in the research phenotypes among various ACE and CKMM polymorphisms. The comparisons of genotype and allele frequencies between adolescents with the best and the worst performances were calculated and analyzed by the Chi square test. All procedures were approved by Medical University Ethics Committee. Written informed consent signed and approved by all subject`s parents were obtained. We observed the effect of the ACE and CKMM polymorphisms on VO_2max (P = 0.001 & P = 0.001 respectively). ACE and CKMM genotypes differed between groups (< 90th vs. ≥ 90) in the multi-stage 20 m shuttle run (P = 0.001 and 0.001). ACE allele frequencies differed between groups (< 90th vs. ≥ 90) in the multi-stage 20-m shuttle run (P = 0.001). This study suggests that the ACE and CKMM polymorphisms influence the endurance performance phenotype in non-trained adolescent males.