LAUSR

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) as a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system has been associated with numerous genetic and environmental factors among them are functional variants within the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene. Methods In the present study, we genotyped the rs4359 (C/T) and rs1799752 (Insertion (I)/Deletion (D)) of this gene in 391 MS patients and 380 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Results We found significant overrepresentation of the I allele of the rs1799752 in MS patients compared with healthy subjects (Adjusted P value = 0.03, OR (95% CI) = 1.28 (1.05–1.57). The same allele was associated with MS risk in co‐dominant and dominant models (Adjusted P values of 0.007 and 0.002 respectively). The allele and genotype frequencies of the rs4359 were not significantly different between cases and controls. Moreover, the I allele of the rs1799752 was significantly overrepresented in MS patients who were irresponsive to IFN‐&bgr; compared with healthy subjects (Adjusted P value = 0.04, OR (95% CI) = 1.57 (1.08–2.29)). The same allele was associated with irresponsiveness to IFN‐&bgr; in dominant model (Adjusted P value = 0.02, OR (95% CI) = 2.32 (1.22–4.42)). Conclusion The present study provides further evidences for the role of ACE in MS risk or response of patients to IFN‐&bgr; treatment. HighlightsWe found significant overrepresentation of the I allele of the rs1799752 in MS patients compared with healthy subjects.The allele and genotype frequencies of the rs4359 were not significantly different between cases and controls.The present study provides further evidences for the role of ACE in MS risk or response of patients to IFN‐&bgr; treatment.