Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 polymorphisms and postexercise hypotension in hypertensive medicated individuals

Summary The renin‐angiotensin aldosterone system ( RAAS ) is associated with diverse physiological responses and adaptations to exercise. The angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ) 2 has vasodilatory effects, which might be associated with the blood pressure ( BP ) responses to acute exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ACE 2 polymorphisms in postexercise hypotension ( PEH ). Thirty‐four medicated hypertensive (61·3 ± 1·7 years, 76·1 ± 2·7 kg, 160 ± 1·6 cm) men ( n = 12) and women ( n = 22), participated in a control and a moderate intensity exercise session in a randomized order. After both experimental sessions, they left the laboratory wearing an ambulatory BP device for 24‐h monitoring. ACE 2 polymorphisms (Int‐1 and Int‐3) were assessed by polymerase chain reaction. Over the course of 5‐h monitoring, we observed a significant reduction in SBP and DBP following exercise in the AA / AG of the Int‐1 polymorphism (p‐interaction = 0·02 and 0·001, respectively), whereas this could not be found in the individuals homozygous G (p‐interaction = 0·76 and 0·51, respectively). With regard to Int‐3 polymorphism, individuals AA / AG showed a significant reduction in SBP following exercise (p‐interaction <0·0001) but not for DBP (p‐interaction = 0·06) whereas GG individuals showed only a significant reduction in DBP following exercise (p‐interaction = 0·02). Our results suggest that ACE 2 polymorphism could affect PEH ; however, larger trials are needed to confirm our findings.