3.2. ACE

ACE allele frequencies were not significantly different for any of the comparisons of the elderly and young populations (Table 3). Genotype frequencies were not significantly different in elderly females and the young population. However, ACE genotype frequencies were significantly different in the elderly men compared to the young sample, with a decrease in I:I and an increase of I:D with age. Since ACE allele frequencies were not different in the elderly men compared to the young sample, we derived genotypes in the young group from the allele frequencies on the basis of expectations according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These genotypes were not significantly different from the observed genotypes in the elderly men. However, the role of ACE in survival into old age is supported by finding different observed genotype distributions in elderly men and women, with males having a reduction of I:I. No significant differences in ACE allele or genotype frequencies were found in young boys and girls (boys: DD=38%, ID=39%, II=23%; girls: DD=35%, ID=42%, II=42%).

3.3. MTHFR