Influence of apolipoprotein E genotype on fat-soluble plasma antioxidants in Spanish children.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a major determinant of plasma lipid concentrations, which in turn influence the plasma concentrations of various fat-soluble vitamins.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to analyze the effect of APOE genotype on fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations in children.


METHODS
A total of 926 healthy boys and girls aged 6-8 y were selected from 4 cities in Spain. APOE genotyping was carried out, and plasma concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipid-soluble antioxidants were measured.


RESULTS
Plasma lipid concentrations were strongly influenced by APOE genotype. The mean plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol was 21.3 micromol/L, which is one of the highest values ever reported for a population of children. Although plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, lycopene, and alpha-carotene varied significantly between subjects with different APOE genotypes, most of these differences disappeared after adjustment for lipoprotein-related covariates. Nevertheless, tocopherol concentrations remained elevated in individuals with the E2/2 genotype. Multivariate regression analysis showed interactions of APOE genotype with triacylglycerol and apo B in determining alpha-tocopherol concentrations. When subjects were stratified according to major apo E groups, apo B appeared to be the most important predictor of alpha-tocopherol concentrations in all groups, whereas triacylglycerol was identified only in carriers of the E2 allele.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between APOE genotype and lipophilic antioxidant concentrations is dependent mainly on the effect of the polymorphism on lipoprotein concentrations. However, triacylglycerol plays a role in determining the variability of alpha-tocopherol concentrations in E2 carriers only. This suggests that the alpha-tocopherol content in each lipoprotein class varies according to APOE genotype.
Ortega
Henar
H
Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
Castilla
Patricia
P
Gómez-Coronado
Diego
D
Garcés
Carmen
C
Benavente
Mercedes
M
Rodríguez-Artalejo
Fernando
F
de Oya
Manuel
M
Lasunción
Miguel A
MA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012995:Solubility; D013030:Spain; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
D000975:Antioxidants; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002338:Carotenoids; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol