title: The apolipoprotein E polymorphism and the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The response of serum cholesterol to diet may be affected by the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism, which also is a significant predictor of variation in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD death. Here, we test the hypothesis that the APOE polymorphism may modulate the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We determined the effect of a coffee abstention period and a daily intake of 600 mL coffee on serum cholesterol and triglycerides with respect to the APOE polymorphism.
  
  
  METHODS
  121 healthy, non-smoking men (22%) and women (78%) aged 29-65 years, took part in a study with four intervention periods: 1 and 3) a coffee free period of three weeks, 2 and 4) 600 mL coffee/day for four weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  APOE epsilon2 positive individuals had significantly lower total cholesterol concentration at baseline (4.68 mmol/L and 5.28 mmol/L, respectively, p = 0.01), but the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee was not influenced significantly by APOE allele carrier status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The APOE epsilon 2 allele is associated with lower serum cholesterol concentration. However, the APOE polymorphism does not seem to influence the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee.
authors.affiliation: The Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg, Sweden. elisabeth.strandhagen@hjl.gu.se
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strandhagen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zetterberg
authors.forename: Nibia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aires
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palmér
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rymo
authors.forename: Kaj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blennow
authors.forename: Dag S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Thelle