Abstract 1947

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with the rate of progression of renal diseases like IgA nephropathy. We investigated its role in the progression rate of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), with special reference to differences between in African American (AA) and White/Hispanic (W/H) population. Twenty-four patients (age 13.4 ± 5.3 y, range 4-21 y), 12 AA and 12 W/H; with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to FSGS were evaluated. In 13 patients there was rapid progression (RP) of FSGS (defined as less than 2y from the time of diagnosis to ESRD) and in 11 there was slow progression (SP). The distribution of ACE genotype was as shown (p= NS): (Table) The gene frequencies in AA group were similar between patients and controls (I 33.4%, D 66.6% vs I 36%, D 64%, respectively). However, there were significant differences in gene frequencies between W/H patients I 66.6%, D 33.4% vs W/H controls I 38.6%, D 61.4%, (p<0.05). With respect to rate of progression, D allele frequency was similar in AA (RP 75% vs SP 50%) and W/H (RP 40% vs SP 28.5%) patients. In conclusion, our single center investigation reveals no association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and occurrence and progression rate of FSGS. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to confirm this observation.

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