Genetic influences on age-related change in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels: longitudinal apolipoprotein E genotype effects.
This study addressed the possible influence of apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotype on age-related changes in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels in older males. Apo E is a component of LDL, is a ligand for the LDL receptor, and apo E genotype has been consistently associated with variation in mean levels of TC and LDL-C, and also appears to influence TG levels. Using male twins followed longitudinally between mean ages of 48 and 63 years, the change in TC, LDL-C, and TG over time for individuals with the epsilon 3 epsilon 3 and the epsilon 3 epsilon 4 genotypes was contrasted. At exam 1 mean TC and LDL-C levels were lower in the epsilon 3 epsilon 3 group than in the epsilon 3 epsilon 4 group, but at exam 3 mean TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in the epsilon 3 epsilon 3 group than in the epsilon 3 epsilon 4 group. The rate of change in TC and LDL-C with age differed significantly between epsilon 3 epsilon 3 and epsilon 3 epsilon 4 groups. Results for TG were not statistically significantly. These findings suggest that the apo E genotype effects on risk of coronary artery disease may be age-dependent. This study demonstrates the value of longitudinal studies in refining models for genetic risk factors for disease.
Jarvik
G P
GP
Department of Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Austin
M A
MA
Fabsitz
R R
RR
Auwerx
J
J
Reed
T
T
Christian
J C
JC
Deeb
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol