Apolipoprotein E in apolipoprotein B (apo B)- and non-apo B-containing lipoproteins in 3523 participants in the Stanislas cohort: biological variation and genotype-specific reference limits.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a component of two major classes of plasma lipoproteins, apo B- (apo E-LpB) and non-apo B-containing (apo E-Lp-non-B) lipoproteins. The factors that affect total apo E in particles [lipoprotein E (LpE), apo E-Lp-non-B, and apo E-LpB], are incompletely characterized.


METHODS
We studied the determinants of these lipoparticles in a sample population of presumably healthy individuals: 1784 children (age range, 8-18 years) and 1739 adults (age range, 19-50 years). Serum concentrations of LpE and apo E-Lp-non-B were measured by electroimmunoassays, and the concentration of apo E-LpB was calculated by a difference method.


RESULTS
Serum LpE and apo E-Lp-non-B were higher in females than in males. Their concentrations decreased with age until 20-25 years and then increased in men but not in women. apo E-LpB concentrations increased up to 20-25 years and were similar in both sexes. Thereafter, adult men had higher values than women. Individuals carrying the epsilon2 allele had higher mean apo E-Lp-non-B concentrations and lower apo E-LpB concentrations than did individuals carrying the epsilon3 allele. Individuals with the epsilon4 allele showed an inverse profile compared with those with the epsilon2 allele. Age, gender, the common apo E polymorphism, puberty, serum lipid concentrations, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with total LpE, apo E-Lp-non-B, and apo E-LpB concentrations. Reference limits were established according to age, gender, and the common apo E polymorphism.


CONCLUSIONS
Because measurements of LpE, apo E-Lp-non-B, and apo E-LpB concentrations may improve cardiovascular risk assessment, the proposed reference limits will aid interpretation of the results in clinical or therapeutic trials.
Schiele
Françoise
F
Centre de Médecine Préventive, INSERM U525, 2 Rue du Doyen Jacques Parisot, F54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Vincent-Viry
Monique
M
Starck
Marjorie
M
Beaud
Brigitte
B
Hennache
Geneviève
G
Siest
Gérard
G
Visvikis
Sophie
S
Herbeth
Bernard
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011627:Puberty; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008074:Lipoproteins