Analysis of the ECA and ACTN3 genes in Colombian youth athletes and their association with ethnicity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/r1ff9j14Keywords:
actinin, angiotensin, athletic performance, genotype, gene polymorphismAbstract
The diversity of ethnic groups in Colombia may highlight differences in specific genetic markers associated with sport. Objective: To analyze the profile, association, and genotypic and allelic frequency of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphisms and the alpha-actinin 3 R577X (ACTN3) R/X polymorphism in youth athletes from different ethnicities in Colombia. Methodology: Sixty-four high-performance youth athletes and 27 control subjects were recruited. DNA was extracted from oral epithelial cells, and genotypes were identified by PCR and electrophoresis. Allelic frequencies were calculated using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ² test, p < 0.05). Results: Significant differences were found in the genotypic distribution between athletes and controls. For the ACE gene, the DD genotype was more frequent (52% vs. 22% in controls, p=0.003, OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.84). When divided among ethnic populations, the Pijao group showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of the DD genotype (43% vs. 7%, OR=0.095, p=0.014, 95% CI: 0.01-1.68). On the other hand, no significant differences were found for the ACTN3 gene; the RX genotype was the most frequent (62% vs. 63% in the control group, p=0.98), while the RR genotype was present in 28% of athletes. These results indicate that the DD genotype is more frequent in the mixed-race population of Pijao indigenous and Caucasian descent
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