Effects of gender and menopausal status on the association of apolipoprotein E phenotype with plasma lipoprotein levels. Results from the Framingham Offspring Study.
Apolipoprotein (apo) E phenotype is an important genetic determinant of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apo B levels. We have determined apo E phenotype by isoelectric focusing and plasma lipid, lipoprotein cholesterol, apo A-I, apo B, and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as LDL particle size, in 2258 men and women participating in the Framingham Offspring Study. Apo E phenotype (E2/2, E2/4, E3/2, E3/3, E3/4, and E4/4) was not associated with plasma lipoprotein(a) levels but was associated with plasma LDL cholesterol levels, apo B levels, and LDL size in men and with plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apo B levels in women. The average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower plasma LDL cholesterol levels by 9.2 mg/dL in men and by 13.7 mg/dL in women, while the average effect of the epsilon 4 allele was to increase LDL cholesterol levels by 2.6 mg/dL in men and by 5.4 mg/dL in women. When men were divided into two groups according to their age (< 50 and > or = 50 years old), the average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower plasma levels of LDL cholesterol by 10.2 mg/dL in younger men and by 7.5 mg/dL in older men. In premenopausal women, the average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower LDL cholesterol by 8.2 mg/dL and, in postmenopausal women, by 20.4 mg/dL. An opposite effect of the epsilon 4 allele was observed: the epsilon 4 allele was associated with increases in plasma LDL cholesterol levels of 4.0 mg/dL in younger men and of 1.0 mg/dL in older men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Schaefer
E J
EJ
Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.
Lamon-Fava
S
S
Johnson
S
S
Ordovas
J M
JM
Schaefer
M M
MM
Castelli
W P
WP
Wilson
P W
PW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol