Relations of APOE promoter polymorphisms to LDL cholesterol and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults

The common apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene (APOE) epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism explains part of serum lipid variation, and polymorphisms in the APOE promoter region have been proposed to participate in the regulation of serum lipid levels within the most common APOE epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype group. We determined APOE -219G/T and +113G/C promoter genotypes and estimated APOE haplotypes in 525 participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. We studied the associations of the APOE promoter polymorphisms and their haplotypes with cross-sectional and longitudinal serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations as well as with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid artery compliance (CAC), and intima-media thickness (IMT) within the APOE epsilon3/epsilon3 carriers. We found no significant association between the APOE promoter genotypes and serum lipids [low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C, and triglycerides], apolipoproteins (apoA-I and apoB), or brachial artery FMD, CAC, or carotid IMT in either men or women. In longitudinal analyses in males, the carriers of heterozygous genotypes (-219G/T or +113G/C) and, furthermore, carriers of the -219T/+113C/epsilon3 haplotype had significantly higher LDL-C and total cholesterol concentrations throughout the 21 year follow-up period compared with homozygous G allele carriers or noncarriers of the -219T/+113C/epsilon3 haplotype. Such associations were not found in females. In summary, the APOE promoter polymorphisms -219G/T and +113G/C as well as their haplotype are associated with longitudinal changes in LDL-C and total cholesterol concentrations in young Finnish males but do not seem to be major determinants for FMD, CAC, or carotid IMT in males or females.     

Associations of LPL and APOC3 gene polymorphisms on plasma lipids in a Mediterranean population: interaction with tobacco smoking and the APOE locus

We conducted a cross-sectional study in a Spanish population (n = 1,029) to investigate associations between the LPL and APOC3 gene loci (LPL-HindIII, LPL-S447X, and APOC3-SstI) and plasma lipid levels and their interaction with APOE polymorphisms and smoking. Carriers of the H(-) or the X447 allele had higher levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and lower levels of TG, after adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol, smoking, exercise, and education (P < 0.01). The APOC3 polymorphism presented additive effects to the LPL variants on TG and HDL-C levels in men, and on TG in women. The most and the least favorable haplotype combinations were H(-)/X447/S1 and H(+)/S447/S2, respectively. These combinations accounted for 7% and 5% of the variation in HDL-C and TG in men, and 3% and 4% in women. There was a significant interaction between APOE and LPL variants and HDL-C levels in both genders (P < 0.05). The increases in HDL-C observed for the rare alleles were higher in epsilon4 than in epsilon3 subjects, and absent in epsilon2 individuals. This effect was modulated by smoking (interaction HindIII-APOE-smoking, P = 0.019), indicating that smoking abolished the increase in HDL-C levels observed in epsilon4/H(-) subjects.Understanding this gene-gene-environmental interaction may facilitate preventive interventions to reduce coronary artery disease risk.     

Contributions of 18 additional DNA sequence variations in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E to explaining variation in quantitative measures of lipid metabolism

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a major constituent of many lipoprotein particles. Previous genetic studies have focused on six genotypes defined by three alleles, denoted epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4, encoded by two variable exonic sites that segregate in most populations. We have reported studies of the distribution of alleles of 20 biallelic variable sites in the gene encoding the ApoE molecule within and among samples, ascertained without regard to health, from each of three populations: African Americans from Jackson, Miss.; Europeans from North Karelia, Finland; and non-Hispanic European Americans from Rochester, Minn. Here we ask (1) how much variation in blood levels of ApoE (lnApoE), of total cholesterol (TC), of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and of triglyceride (lnTG) is statistically explained by variation among APOE genotypes defined by the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 alleles; (2) how much additional variation in these traits is explained by genotypes defined by combining the two variable sites that define these three alleles with one or more additional variable sites; and (3) what are the locations and relative allele frequencies of the sites that define multisite genotypes that significantly improve the statistical explanation of variation beyond that provided by the genotypes defined by the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 alleles, separately for each of the six gender-population strata. This study establishes that the use of only genotypes defined by the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 alleles gives an incomplete picture of the contribution that the variation in the APOE gene makes to the statistical explanation of interindividual variation in blood measurements of lipid metabolism. The addition of variable sites to the genotype definition significantly improved the ability to explain variation in lnApoE and in TC and resulted in the explanation of variation in HDL-C and in lnTG. The combination of additional sites that explained the greatest amount of trait variation was different for different traits and varied among the six gender-population strata. The role that noncoding variable sites play in the explanation of pleiotropic effects on different measures of lipid metabolism reveals that both regulatory and structural functional variation in the APOE gene influences measures of lipid metabolism. This study demonstrates that resequencing of the complete gene in a sample of >/=20 individuals and an evaluation of all combinations of the identified variable sites, separately for each population and interacting environmental context, may be necessary to fully characterize the impact that a gene has on variation in related traits of a metabolic system.     

Lipoprotein lipase and apoE polymorphisms: relationship to hypertriglyceridemia during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is associated with increases in plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG). Individuals with decreased LPL activity have a mild form of hypertriglyceridemia. Variations in the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene have been associated with increases in plasma TG in addition to differences in plasma TC, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C). Because of the overproduction of TG-rich VLDL, normal pregnancy challenges the lipolytic capacity of LPL and the clearance of remnants particles. During pregnancy, LPL and apoE polymorphisms may contribute to hypertriglyceridemia. This study investigated the impact of three LPL polymorphisms and the apoE genotypes on lipid levels during pregnancy. Fasting plasma lipids were measured and analyses of the LPL and apoE polymorphisms were performed in 250 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. S447X carriers had lower TG (P = 0.003), and N291S carriers had lower HDL-C (P < 0.02) and higher fractional esterification rate of HDL (FER(HDL)) (P = 0.007), a measure of HDL particle size, than the noncarriers. The E2 allele was associated with lower TC, LDL-C, and FER(HDL) (P < 0.05) compared to the E3/E3 genotype. These findings support that LPL and apoE polymorphisms play an important role in lipid metabolism in pregnancy. The relationship of these polymorphisms to risk of coronary heart disease in women requires further study.     

Parkinson's disease and apolipoprotein E: possible association with dementia but not age at onset

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-dependent, neurodegenerative condition frequently associated with dementia. Although it is predominantly a sporadic disease, 20-30% of cases are familial, suggesting a complex mode of inheritance. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele epsilon4 has been associated with familial and sporadic late-onset senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. To investigate the role of this gene in the development of dementia associated with PD and age at onset of PD, we evaluated the frequency of APOE gene polymorphism in a sample of PD patients with (n=118) and without (n=167) a family history, as well as matched normal controls (n=96). The PD sample was categorized according to age at onset and presence or absence of dementia. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to plot genotype-specific age at onset distribution curves. Allele frequencies of APOE in PD patients with and without a family history and normal controls were not significantly different. APOE genotypes were also similar between the groups. However, the frequencies of epsilon4 allele and epsilon4/- genotype in the PD group with dementia were more than twofold higher than in normal controls, and the differences were statistically significant. There were no differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of the APOE gene between PD groups with different age at onset. The familial PD had significantly earlier age at onset than sporadic PD (Log-rank test, P=0.027). The age at onset distribution curves for different genotype groups were similar, and their differences were not statistically significant (P=0.38). After the Bonferroni's correction for multiple tests, the positive results are not significant at the P<0.05 level. We conclude that APOE does not play an important role in susceptibility to PD or age at onset of PD, but may play a role in dementia associated with PD in our sample.     

脑梗塞患者血清hs—CRP、TNF-α、血脂水平的变化及其临床意义

目的：观察脑梗塞患者血清超敏C反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）及血脂水平的变化。并探讨其临床意义。方法：选择我院2010年6月-2012年6月收治的86例急性脑梗塞患者（轻型脑梗塞组27例、中型脑梗塞组34例、重型脑梗塞组25例）为实验组和同期40例健康体检者为对照组,检测和比较两组血清超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF—α）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL-c）的水平,并进行相关性分析。结果：与健康对照组比较,实验纽血清hs—CRP、TNF-α及TC、TG、LDL—C水平显著升高,而血清HDL-C水平显著降低,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。与轻型脑梗塞组比较,中、重型脑梗塞组血清hs-CRP、TNF-α及TC、TG、LDL-C等血脂水平均显著升高,而血清HDL-C水平显著降低,其异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;与中型脑梗塞组比较,重型脑梗塞组血清TC、TG、LDL-C等血脂水平均显著升高,血清HDL—C水平显著降低,其差异亦均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。脑梗塞患者血清hs—CRP与TNF-α水平呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）,与TC、TG、LDL—C等血脂水平均亦呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）,与血清HDL—C水平呈显著负相关（P〈O．05）。脑梗塞患者血清hs．CRP、TNF-α水平与病情严重程度呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）。结论：检测血清hs-CRP、TNF-α及血脂指标水平对评估脑梗塞患者病情具有重要的临床意义。     

Effects of R219K polymorphism of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 gene on serum lipids ratios induced by a high-carbohydrate and low-fat diet in healthy youth

Background

Diets are the important players in regulating plasma lipid profiles. And the R219K polymorphism at the gene of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1(ABCA1) was reported to be associated with the profiles. However, no efforts have been made to investigate the changes of lipid profiles after a high-carbohydrate and low-fat diet in different subjects with different genotypes of this polymorphism. This study was to evaluate the effects of ABCA1 R219K polymorphism on serum lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) ratios induced by a high-carbohydrate/low-fat (high-CHO) diet. After a washout diet of 54.1% carbohydrate for 7 days, 56 healthy young subjects (22.89 ± 1.80 years old) were given a high-CHO diet of 70.1% carbohydrate for 6 days. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apoA-1 and apoB-100 were measured on the 1^st, 8^th and 14^th days of this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratios (WHR), log(TG/HDL-C), TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and apoA-1/apoB-100 were calculated. ABCA1 R219K was analyzed by a PCR-RFLP method.

Results

The results indicate that the male subjects of all the genotypes had higher WHR than their female counterparts on the 1^st, 8^th and 14^th days of this study. The male K carriers had higher log(TG/HDL-C) and TC/HDL-C than the female carriers on the 1^st and 14^th days, and higher LDL-C/HDL-C on the 14^th day. When compared with that on the 8^th day, TC/HDL-C was decreased regardless of the genotypes and genders on the 14^th day. Log(TG/HDL-C) was increased in the males with the RR genotype and the female K carriers. Lowered BMI, Glu and LDL-C/HDL-C were found in the male K carriers, but only lowered BMI in the female K carriers and only lowered LDL-C/HDL-C in the females with the RR genotype.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ABCA1 R219K polymorphism is associated differently in males and females with elevated log(TG/HDL-C) and decreased LDL-C/HDL-C induced by the high-CHO diet.     

Plasma levels of remnant particles are determined in part by variation in the APOC3 gene insulin response element and the APOCI-APOE cluster

Remnant particles of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (RLP) are known to be a strong predictor of atherogenicity. The serum concentrations of remnant-like particle triglyceride (RLPTG) and remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLPC) have been determined in a representative sample of the Czech MONICA study (n = 285). The relationship was investigated between remnant particle triglyceride/cholesterol concentrations and polymorphisms in the genes APOC3 (-482C-->T/3238C-->G), APOE (epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4), APOCI (-317-321ins), APOB (signal peptide), hepatic lipase (LIPE, -480C-->T), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL, S447X). Univariate analysis showed significant effects on RLPTG associated only with the APOE genotype (P = 0.009), the APOC3 -482C-->T genotype (P = 0.018), and the APOCI -317-321ins (P = 0.014) genotype and significant effects on RLPC with APOE (P = 0.01) and APOCI -317-321ins (P = 0.021). The raising effect of the APOE genotype for both remnant cholesterol and triglyceride was confined to the epsilon2/4 (n = 6) and varepsilon4/4 (n = 3) groups, and thus when the epsilon2/4 group was omitted in order to analyze by allele (epsilon2+/epsilon3+/epsilon4+), significance was lost (P = 0.6). There was strong linkage disequilibrium between the APOE and APOCI alleles (chi(2), P < 0.001) and a multivariate ANOVA of RLPTG with all three significantly associated variants as factors demonstrated that while the APOC3 -482C-->T effect was independent of the others (P = 0.003), the APOCI -317-321ins and APOE effects were not. This was also true for the APOCI -317-321ins and APOE effects on RLPC. To assess whether APOE-CI effects on RLPC were independent of their effects on total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, multiple linear regression was used. Using multiple linear regression, it appeared that the APOE-CI effects on RLPC were independent of their effects on plasma cholesterol, but the effects of APOC3 and APOE-CI on RLPTG could not be separated from their effects on plasma Tg levels.Further characterization of this remnant particle phenotype and its genetic determinants may lead to a better understanding of its metabolism and contribution to atherosclerosis.     

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations

Hei Yi Zhuang is an isolated subgroup of the Zhuang minority in China. Little is known about the distribution of apolipoprotein (apo) E genetic variations and its role in lipid metabolism in this population. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of apoE gene polymorphism on serum lipid levels between the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. A total of 873 subjects of Hei Yi Zhuang and 867 participants of Han Chinese were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. Genotyping of apoE was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequencies of 2, 3, and 4 alleles were 15.23%, 79.84%, and 4.93% in Hei Yi Zhuang, and 9.23%, 81.43%, and 9.34% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. The frequencies of 2/ 2, 2/ 3, 2/ 4, 3/ 3, 3/ 4, and 4/ 4 genotypes were 4.70%, 17.86%, 3.21%, 68.16%, 5.50%, and 0.57% in Hei Yi Zhuang, and 2.54%, 9.23%, 4.15%, 70.70%, 12.23%, and 1.15% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apoB levels were lower in Hei Yi Zhuang than in Han (P < 0.01-0.001), but high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the ratio of apoA-I to apoB were higher in Hei Yi Zhuang than in Han (P < 0.001 for each). There were significant differences in TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and apoB levels among the six genotypes in both ethnic groups (P < 0.01-0.001). Hyperlipidemia was positively correlated with age, body mass index, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and apoE allele in both populations (P < 0.05-0.001). TC, LDL-C, and apoB levels were positively correlated, and HDL-C levels were negatively associated with apoE genotypes in both ethnic groups (P < 0.001 for all). The differences in the lipid profiles between Hei Yi Zhuang and Han Chinese might partly attribute to the differences in apoE genotypic and allelic frequencies.     

Polymorphic gene markers of lipid metabolism are associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

In groups of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with and without clinical signs of diabetic nephropathy (n = 62 and n = 68, respectively), a search was made for associations between diabetic nephropathy and the polymorphic marker epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 of apolipoprotein E gene (APOE), I/D marker of apolipoprotein B gene (APOB), and Ser447Ter marker of lipoprotein lipase-encoding gene (LPL). The risk of diabetic nephropathy was higher in the carriers of allele epsilon3 and genotype epsilon3/epsilon3 of the polymorphic marker epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 of APOE gene as well as in the carriers of allele 1 and APOB genotype/gene (OR = 2.08 and 2.16; 1.91 and 2.11, respectively). Conversely, the carriers of allele D showed a reduced risk of this complication (OR = 0.52). No significant differences in distribution of alleles and genotypes of the polymorphic marker Ser447Ter of LPL gene were found between the groups. Our results indicate that the genes encoding two major components of lipid metabolism are involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.     

皖南花猪11种血液生化指标的发育性变化及性别差异

随机选择出生30、45、90、180日龄的皖南花猪公母各5头,测定了11项血清生化指标.结果显示:血糖(GLU)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、游离脂肪酸(FFA)、脂联素(ADP)、瘦素(leptin)和IgG有极显著的发育性变化(P0.01);而甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、IgA和IgM等没有明显的发育性变化.母猪的TG、TC、HDL-C和IgM极显著或显著大于公猪(P0.01或P0.05),其他血清生化指标虽在总体上没有性别差异,但在有些日龄差异明显,大多表现为母猪在90或180日龄大于公猪.结果表明:皖南花猪血液生化指标有特定的发育性模式,并存在不同程度的性别差异.     

Oxidative damage and protection by antioxidants in the frontal cortex of Alzheimer's disease is related to the apolipoprotein E genotype.

A great number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the frequency of the epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is markedly higher in sporadic and in familial late onset Alzheimer disease (AD). In the frontal cortex of AD patients, oxidative damage is elevated. We address the hypothesis that the APOE genotype and reactive oxygen-mediated damage are linked in the frontal cortex of AD patients. We have related the APOE genotype to the levels of lipid oxidation (LPO) and to the antioxidant status, in frontal cortex tissues from age-matched control and AD cases with different APOE genotypes. LPO levels were significantly elevated in tissues from Alzheimer's cases which are homozygous for the epsilon4 allele of APOE, compared to AD epsilon3/epsilon3 cases and controls. Activities of enzymatic antioxidants, such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), were also higher in AD cases with at least one epsilon4 allele of APOE, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was unchanged. In the frontal cortex, the concentration of apoE protein was not different between controls and AD cases, and was genotype independent. The Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and human recombinant apoE3 (hapoE3rec) were able to protect control, AD epsilon3/epsilon3 and epsilon3/epsilon4 cases against hydrogen peroxide/iron-induced LPO, while hapoE4rec was completely ineffective. Moreover, EGb 761 and DHEA had no effect in homozygous epsilon4 cases. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress-induced injury and protection by antioxidants in the frontal cortex of AD cases are related to the APOE genotype.     

Explaining behavior change after genetic testing: the problem of collinearity between test results and risk estimates

This paper explores whether and how the behavioral impact of genotype disclosure can be disentangled from the impact of numerical risk estimates generated by genetic tests. Secondary data analyses are presented from a randomized controlled trial of 162 first-degree relatives of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Each participant received a lifetime risk estimate of AD. Control group estimates were based on age, gender, family history, and assumed epsilon4-negative apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype; intervention group estimates were based upon the first three variables plus true APOE genotype, which was also disclosed. AD-specific self-reported behavior change (diet, exercise, and medication use) was assessed at 12 months. Behavior change was significantly more likely with increasing risk estimates, and also more likely, but not significantly so, in epsilon4-positive intervention group participants (53% changed behavior) than in control group participants (31%). Intervention group participants receiving epsilon4-negative genotype feedback (24% changed behavior) and control group participants had similar rates of behavior change and risk estimates, the latter allowing assessment of the independent effects of genotype disclosure. However, collinearity between risk estimates and epsilon4-positive genotypes, which engender high-risk estimates, prevented assessment of the independent effect of the disclosure of an epsilon4 genotype. Novel study designs are proposed to determine whether genotype disclosure has an impact upon behavior beyond that of numerical risk estimates.     

Associations between Apolipoprotein E Genotype, Diet, Body Mass Index, and Serum Lipids in Lithuanian Adult Population

Background

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism is associated with lipid levels. Some studies have reported that blood lipid response to diet or obesity varies depending on APOE genotypes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of APOE genotypes, the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA), and obesity on serum lipid levels in Lithuanian adult population.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A cross-sectional health survey was carried out in five municipalities of Lithuania. The random sample was obtained from lists of 25–64 year-old inhabitants registered at primary health care centres. The data from 996 subjects (416 men and 580 women) were analysed in this study. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs429358 and rs7412) were assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire were used for evaluation of dietary habits. Serum lipids were determined using enzymatic methods.Men and women with the APOE2 genotype had the lowest level of total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.002 for men, and p = 0.02 for women) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age, genotype APOE2, SFA intake, and body mass index (BMI) were significant determinants of TC and LDL-C level (with p values ranging from 0.043 to 0.001). Our data did not reveal any statistically significant interactions between APOE genotype and SFA intake or between APOE genotype and BMI regarding TC and LDL-C level (all p>0.05). However, the predictive power of the regression model for LDL-C improved when gene-BMI interaction and gene-BMI interaction plus gene-nutrient interaction were added (p = 0.04 and p = 0.032 for R² change, respectively).

Conclusions/Significance

APOE genotypes, SFA intake, and obesity were found to be associated with blood lipid levels in Lithuanian adult population. Analysis of gene-diet and gene-obesity interactions did not confirm that the effects of diet and obesity on TC and LDL-C level significantly depended on APOE genotype.     

Genetic loci for blood lipid levels identified by linkage and association analyses in Caribbean Hispanics

To identify genetic loci influencing blood lipid levels in Caribbean Hispanics, we first conducted a genome-wide linkage scan in 1,211 subjects from 100 Dominican families on five lipid quantitative traits: total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. We then investigated the association between blood lipid levels and 21,361 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) under the 1-logarithm of odds (LOD) unit down regions of linkage peaks in an independent community-based subcohort (N = 814, 42% Dominican) from the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS). We found significant linkage evidence for LDL-C/HDL-C on 7p12 (multipoint LOD = 3.91) and for TC on 16q23 (LOD = 3.35). In addition, we identified suggestive linkage evidence of LOD > 2.0 on 15q23 for TG, 16q23 for LDL-C, 19q12 for TC and LDL-C, and 20p12 for LDL-C. In the association analysis of the linkage peaks, we found that seven SNPs near FLJ45974 were associated with LDL-C/HDL-C with a nominal P < 3.5 × 10(-5), in addition to associations (P < 0.0001) for other lipid traits with SNPs in or near CDH13, SUMF2, TLE3, FAH, ARNT2, TSHZ3, ZNF343, RPL7AL2, and TMC3. Further studies are warranted to perform in-depth investigations of functional genetic variants in these regions.     

Interaction of PPARG Pro12Ala with dietary fat influences plasma lipids in subjects at cardiometabolic risk

The PPARγ2 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Pro12Ala has shown variable association with metabolic syndrome traits in healthy subjects. The RISCK Study investigated the effect of interaction between genotype and the ratio of polyunsaturated:saturated (P:S) fatty acid intake on plasma lipids in 367 white subjects (ages 30-70 years) at increased cardiometabolic risk. Interaction was determined after habitual diet at recruitment, at baseline after a 4-week high-SFA (HS) diet, and after a 24-week reference (HS), high-MUFA (HM), or low-fat (LF) diet. At recruitment, there were no significant associations between genotype and plasma lipids; however, P:S × genotype interaction influenced plasma total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.02), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.002), and triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.02) concentrations. At P:S ratio ≤ 0.33, mean TC and LDL-C concentrations in Ala12 allele carriers were significantly higher than in noncarriers (respectively, P = 0.003; P = 0.0001). Significant trends in reduction of plasma TC (P = 0.02) and TG (P = 0.002) concentrations occurred with increasing P:S (respectively, ≤0.33 to >0.65; 0.34 to >0.65) in Ala12 allele carriers. There were no significant differences between carriers and noncarriers after the 4-week HS diet or 24-week interventions. Plasma TC and TG concentrations in PPARG Ala12 allele carriers decrease as P:S increases, but they are not dependent on a reduction in SFA intake.     

Apolipoprotein E: risk factor for Alzheimer disease.

The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) has three common alleles (epsilon 2, epsilon 3, and epsilon 4) that determine six genotypes in the general population. In this study, we examined 77 patients with late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD), along with an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls, for an association with the APOE-epsilon 4 allele. We show that the frequency of this allele among AD patients was significantly higher than that among the control population (.351 vs. .130, P = .000006). The genotype frequencies also differed between the two groups (P = .0002), with the APOE-epsilon 4/epsilon 3 genotype being the most common in the AD group and the APOE-epsilon 3/epsilon 3 being the most common in the control group. In the AD group, homozygosity for epsilon 4 was found in nine individuals, whereas none was found in the control group. The odds ratio for AD, when associated with one or two epsilon 4 alleles, was 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-12.3), while the odds ratio for AD, when associated with heterozygosity for APOE-epsilon 4, was 3.6 (95% CI 1.5-9.8). Finally, the median age at onset among the AD patients decreased from 83 to 78 to 74 years as the number of APOE-epsilon 4 alleles increased from 0 to 1 to 2, respectively (test for trend, P = .001). Our data, which are in agreement with recent reports, suggest that the APOE-epsilon 4 allele is associated with AD and that this allelic variant may be an important risk factor for susceptibility to AD in the general population.     

9758 例健康体检者血糖与血脂的关系分析

目的:探讨健康体检人群血糖与血脂现况及两者之间的相关性。方法:采集我院9758例健康体检者的空腹静脉血,检测其空腹血糖(FPG)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)水平,比较不同FPG水平组间各血脂水平,分析FPG水平与血脂的相关性。结果:各年龄组FPG、TC、TG、HDL-C和LDL-C水平差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);FPG均与TC、TG和LDL-C水平呈现正相关(r=0.127,0.189,0.141,P0.005),而与HDL-C呈现负相关(r=-0.112,P0.005);根据FPG水平由高到低分为糖尿病(DM)组,血糖调节受损(IFG)组及血糖正常组,其中对TC和LDL-C水平异常率而言,IFG组DM组血糖正常组;对TG、HDL-C水平异常率而言,DM组IFG组血糖正常组。结论:健康人群中血糖和血脂水平呈现一定的相关性,两者的水平异常会增加慢性疾病的发生风险。     

Association between the APOE*4 allele and atherosclerosis is age dependent among Argentine males

Several studies have shown evidence of an association between the *4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in different populations. We determined the APOE genotype and total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) values in 189 patients with angiographically evaluated atherosclerosis. The APOE*4 allele was found to be statistically significantly more frequent (odds ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.32) among male patients than in a randomly chosen population-based sample. No significant difference was found when female patients were compared to the general population. The APOE*4 allele was found primarily among young (30-45-year-old) male patients (p < 0.04). Despite the ascending linear tendency of the mean TC values for genotypes APOE*2/*3, APOE*3/*3, and APOE*3/ *4 reported in our case population, no differences were observed among our patients. We conclude that the APOE*4 allele is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease, that this association has an age-dependent effect, and that it acts as a genetic factor that increases susceptibility to developing the disease in young to middle-aged male adults in our population.     

进口普罗布考治疗高脂血症的疗效观察

目的:观察进口普罗布考对高脂血症患者的降脂作用,并评价其疗效。方法:纳入符合要求的高脂血症患者264例,应用优效性设计,并随机分为实验组(普罗布考)和对照组(安慰剂),其中实验组127例,对照组137例。检测总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxLDL)等血脂指标;分别于访视0、访视2、访视3时进行测量,共观察8周。结果:实验后4周及8周TC与LDL-C均较实验前降低,且普罗布考对TC和LDL-C的降低作用明显优于安慰剂;实验后4周及8周oxLDL在两组间均无明显降低,且试验后普罗布考与安慰剂组间无差异;实验后4周及8周普罗布考对TG均有降低趋势,但是与安慰剂相比没有统计学意义;而普罗布考降低HDL-C较安慰剂显著。结论:本试验证实进口普罗布考对降低中国高血脂症患者血脂中TC、LDL-C、HDL-C有明显作用,适宜推广。