The apolipoprotein E gene and the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol response to dietary fiber.
Our goal was to determine whether differences in apolipoprotein E (apo E) influenced the response to dietary changes aimed at reducing serum cholesterol levels, especially increases in fiber. Apo E phenotype and genotype were determined in 43 men and 24 women who had previously taken part in parallel 2-week metabolic dietary studies involving either wheat bran or oat bran supplementation at a level of 6.8 g fiber/1,000 kcal. Fasting blood lipid measurements had been made at the beginning and end of the 2-week metabolic period. Reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels across both oat and wheat bran diets were significantly different depending on the E allele (P = .048). The LDL cholesterol level reduction for E2 carriers (0.60 +/- 0.14 mmol/L, n = 13) was greater than that for E3 homozygotes (0.21 +/- 0.07 mmol/L, n = 38; P = .014) and E4 carriers (0.28 +/- 0.12 mmol/L, n = 16; P = .09). Only the change in dietary fiber on the oat bran diet was related significantly to the decrease in LDL cholesterol levels (r = -.47, P = .007; n = 32). No such relationship was seen on the wheat bran diet (r = -.010, P = .59; n = 33). Carriers of the E2 allele appear to be more responsive than noncarriers to a dietary change involving increased fiber intake. The data also support a lipid-lowering advantage of oat bran over wheat bran. Current dietary recommendations to reduce serum lipid levels may vary in effectiveness depending on distribution of apo E alleles in the different populations studied.
Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D J
DJ
Jenkins
R A
RA
Hegele
A L
AL
Jenkins
P W
PW
Connelly
K
K
Hallak
P
P
Bracci
H
H
Kashtan
P
P
Corey
M
M
Pintilia
H
H
Stern
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber