The Combination of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2, Alpha-Actinin-3, and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in Judo Athletes: A Pilot Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the combination of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms and judo status.Methods: We recruited 156 male judo athletes from a top-level university in Japan. These athletes were divided into two groups based on their competitive history: international-level athletes and others. Genomic DNA was extracted from the saliva of each athlete. Genotyping by PCR or PCR-RFLP was used to detect IGF2 G/A (rs680), ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739), and ACE I/D (rs1799752) polymorphisms. The combined frequencies of the three gene polymorphisms were compared between all judo athletes and controls and between international-level athletes and others.Results: There was a higher frequency of the IGF2 GG, ACTN3 RX, and ACE II genotype in all judo athletes (10.3%) compared to that of this genotype in the controls (1.2%). Moreover, there was a lower frequency of the IGF2 AA, ACTN3 RX, and ACE ID genotype in all judo athletes (1.9%) compared to that of this genotype in the controls (8.9%). Two of the 156 judo athletes exhibited the IGF2 GG, ACTN3 RX, and ACE DD genotype; both of them were international-level athletes.Conclusions: The combination of IGF2, ACTN3, and ACE gene polymorphisms may be associated with the judo status.