Gene polymorphisms affecting HDL-cholesterol levels in the normolipidemic population.
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.
Miltiadous
George
G
Department of Internal medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, GR 451 10 Ioannina, Greece.
Hatzivassiliou
Marilena
M
Liberopoulos
Evagelos
E
Bairaktari
Eleni
E
Tselepis
Alexandros
A
Cariolou
Marios
M
Elisaf
Moses
M
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
D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C506642:CETP protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006023:Glycoproteins