title: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the influence of the mutation type of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor gene and PvuII polymorphism of the normal allele on serum lipid levels and response to lovastatin treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study whether (i) the low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor gene mutation type itself or (ii) the PvuII restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) of the intact LDL-receptor gene affects serum lipid levels and their responses to lovastatin treatment in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of serum lipid levels in 149 heterozygous FH patients, including 79 patients with the FH Helsinki gene and 70 patients with the FH North Karelia gene, grouped according to the PvuII RFLP status of their nonmutated LDL-receptor allele; studies of lovastatin responses in 23 FH patients with different mutation types.
  
  
  METHODS
  Molecularly defined heterozygous FH patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  DNA analysis by polymerase chain-reaction assay (PCR) and Southern blotting, fasting serum lipid measurements in all patients, and administration of lovastatin 40-80 mg daily to 16 FH Helsinki patients and seven FH North Karelia patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline and post-treatment serum cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in serum total or LDL-cholesterol levels in FH patients with the FH Helsinki gene compared with those carrying the FH North Karelia gene. Regardless of the mutation type, patients without the PvuII site in the normal LDL-receptor gene (P--subjects) tended to have 6-8% higher serum and LDL-cholesterol levels than patients possessing this restriction site (P+ subjects). Although not statistically significant, this difference is qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that reported in three different non-FH populations. Treatment with lovastatin brought about similar hypolipidaemic responses in FH patients with either mutation type (FH Helsinki or FH North Karelia) or PvuII RFLP status (P+ or P-).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two LDL-receptor gene mutations with dissimilar phenotypic characteristics are associated with similar serum lipid levels and response to statin treatment. Our data also support the previous assumption that the PvuII RFLP of the LDL-receptor gene locus is associated with variation of serum cholesterol levels.
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Vuorio
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Ojala
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sarna
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Turtola
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Tikkanen
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kontula
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D004247:DNA; D008148:Lovastatin; C025630:CAGCTG-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific