Apolipoprotein B signal peptide polymorphism and plasma LDL-cholesterol response to low-calorie diet.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of the apolipoprotein B Ins/Del signal peptide. Polymorphism on plasma lipid levels in overweight subjects before and after a low-calorie diet.


METHODS
Diet intervention study (25% reduction in energy intake during 2.5 months) in relation to genetic factors.


METHODS
A total of 231 unrelated patients (146 women/85 men) recruited on the basis of body mass index (BMI)> or =25 kg/m(2).


METHODS
BMI, waist to hip ratio, blood lipids and lipoproteins, at entry and after 2.5 months, determination of apo B Ins/Del genotypes.


RESULTS
On spontaneous diet, subjects carrying the Del allele had higher LDL-cholesterol (Del/Del: 3.97+/-0.62 mmol/l; Ins/Del: 3.87+/-1.01 mmol/l; Ins/Ins: 3.61+/-0.88 mmol/l) (P=0.038). When submitted to low-calorie diet, subjects with Del/Del genotypes reduced their LDL-cholesterol (-16.8%) more than subjects with Ins/Del or Ins/Ins (-4.7% and +0.9%, respectively) (P=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In overweight or obese people, the response of plasma LDL-cholesterol levels to low-calorie diet is modulated by genetic variation at the apo B locus. Overweight subjects with the Del allele of the apo B signal peptide polymorphism are predisposed to high LDL cholesterol levels but their LDL cholesterol responds well to diet. These results demonstrate the importance of the interaction between genes and nutritional environment in the determination of the lipid levels.
Jemaa
R
R
EA 3516 'Gene-environment interactions in metabolic diseases with cardiovascular risk', Xavier Bichat Medical School, Paris, France.
Mebazâa
A
A
Fumeron
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000235:genetics*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000235:genetics
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals