title: Gene polymorphisms affecting HDL-cholesterol levels in the normolipidemic population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) is inversely related to the risk of ischemic heart disease. Many genes are reported to affect HDL-C serum levels in both hyperlipidemic and normolipidemic populations, though the data are controversial. We examined the effect of common gene polymorphisms known to interfere with HDL-C metabolism (apolipoprotein E, cholesterol ester transfer protein and apolipoprotein A-IV gene polymorphisms) on HDL-C plasma levels in normolipidemic subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 200 normolipidemic individuals visiting our clinic for a routine check-up. None of the above gene polymorphisms affected HDL-C levels in our population. However, participants carrying the allele E4 of the apolipoprotein (apo) E gene, the allele B1 of the TaqIB polymorphisms in the cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) gene and the allele T of the apoA-IV gene (A to T polymorphism at site 347) (n = 28) had statistically significantly lower HDL-C levels compared to those not carrying the above allele combination (0.99+/-0.33 vs 1.28+/-0.35 mmol/L, p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, we describe a subgroup of normolipidemic individuals with low HDL-C levels due to genetic variability, and we discuss the underlying possible mechanisms involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, GR 451 10 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miltiadous
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatzivassiliou
authors.forename: Evagelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liberopoulos
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bairaktari
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tselepis
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cariolou
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elisaf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C506642:CETP protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006023:Glycoproteins