J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2011 Apr;52(4):420-428.

An Association Study of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Cataracts

• Chi M
• Im JS
• Paik HJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the association of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism and cataracts in the Korean population.
METHODS
The present research included participants from a population-based study in Incheon, Korea. A sample of 126 adults genotyped for polymorphisms of APOE underwent a medical interview, an eye examination which included visual acuity testing, slitlamp cataract evaluation and fundus examination. The APOE polymorphism was determined using a polymerase chain reaction method.
RESULTS
Eighty-eight participants (69.8%) were diagnosed with cataracts or had undergone cataract surgery in 1 or both eyes, and 38 participants (30.2%) demonstrated no signs of cataract. The frequencies of the APOE genotypes and alleles were not significantly different from the cataract and the control group. APOE epsilon2 carriers were less likely to have cataracts than non-epsilon2 carriers with an odds ratio of 0.367 which was almost statistically significant with the multiple logistic regression analysis (p = 0.052).
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant correlation of APOE genotype and cataracts. However, a slight negative association of APOE epsilon2 and cataracts were found in the Korean population.

Keyword

Apolipoprotein E; Cataract; Gene polymorphism

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alleles
Apolipoprotein E2
Apolipoproteins
Apolipoproteins E
Cataract
Eye
Genotype
Humans
Korea
Logistic Models
Odds Ratio
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Visual Acuity
Apolipoprotein E2
Apolipoproteins
Apolipoproteins E

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Distribution of APOE polymorphism in control and cataract group (χ2 test, p value = 0.174).

• 

  Figure 2. Distribution of APOE polymorphism in cataract subgroups (χ2 test, p value = 0.615).

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  Figure 3. Allele frequency of APOE polymorphism in control and cataract group (χ2 test). * Statistically significant.

• 

  Figure 4. APOE allele in cataract subgroups (χ2 test, p -value = 0.401, 0.727, 0.269).

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  Figure 5. Mean total cholesterol (A), triglyceride (B), HDL-cholesterol (C) in groups according to apolipoprotein E allele (t-test). * Statistically significant.

Reference

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