J Korean Med Sci.  2005 Jun;20(3):361-366. 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.3.361.

The Effect of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism on Lipid Levels in Korean Adults

• Shin MH
• Kim HN
• Cui LH
• Kweon SS
• Park KS
• Heo H
• Nam HS
• Jeong SK
• Chung EK
• Choi JS

• KMID: 1778490
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2005.20.3.361

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) on lipid levels in Korean adults and to investigate the interactions between these polymorphisms and environmental factors in determining lipid levels. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1,900 subjects (668 men and 1,232 women; 45-74 yr old) in Namwon, Korea, in 2004. APOE polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis. Carriers of the APOE*E2 (E2) allele had significantly lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations than did carriers of the APOE*E3 (E3) or APOE*E4 (E4) alleles, regardless of gender. The APOE allele type had significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride levels in women, but not in men. The effect of APOE allele type on HDL-C levels was modified by age in women. In addition, in men, the effect of APOE allele type on triglyceride levels was modified by smoking. These findings highlight the important effect of gene-environment interactions on lipid levels.

Keyword

Apolipoproteins E; Polymorphism; Genetic; Lipids; Gene-Environment Interaction

MeSH Terms

Aged
Analysis of Variance
Apolipoproteins E/*genetics
Comparative Study
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gene Frequency
Genotype
Humans
Korea
Lipids/*blood
Lipoproteins, HDL Cholesterol/blood
Lipoproteins, LDL Cholesterol/blood
Male
Middle Aged
*Polymorphism, Genetic
Triglycerides/blood

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of adjusted means of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in females by APOE alleles and age subgroups. Mean HDL-C values are adjusted for age, BMI, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and diabetes mellitus. There was a significant interaction (p<0.006) between age group and APOE allele type on HDL-C levels. The APOE allele type had a significant effect on HDL-C levels in women <60 yr old (p<0.001) and in women ≥60 yr old (p=0.049).

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of adjusted means of triglyceride levels in males by APOE alleles and smoking status. There was a significant effect of the interaction (p=0.022) between smoking status and APOE allele type on triglyceride levels. Mean triglyceride values are adjusted for age, BMI, waist circumference, alcohol, exercise, and diabetes mellitus. The APOE allele type had a significant effect on triglyceride levels in non-smokers (p=0.018), but no significant effect in smokers (p=0.466).

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