Lipid profile and apolipoprotein E polymorphism in essential hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Studies in several populations have indicated that genetic variation at the apolipoprotein E structural locus influences atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular diseases. The possible role of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the development of essential hypertension has not been sufficiently investigated. In this case-control study, we aimed to determine the significance of association between essential hypertension and apolipoprotein E genotypes. In addition, apolipoprotein E genotypes were correlated with serum lipid levels in order to understand the possible interaction between the specific genotype and the lipid profiles that can contribute to hypertension.


RESULTS
The apolipoprotein E genotypes were assayed in 185 patients and 200 controls by polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic digestion with Hha I. Using logistic regression analysis, the multivariate-adjusted odds of hypertension were calculated. The incidence of epsilon4 allele was found to be significantly higher in patients (12.16%) than in controls (5.75%, chi2=10.87; p<0.05) and also in patients with positive family history (16.7%) as compared to negative family history (8.87%, chi2 = 8.45; p<0.1). Further, it was observed that carriers of epsilon4 allele have twice as much risk (p<0.05) for developing hypertension as compared to carriers of other alleles. Patients with epsilon4 allele had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol as compared to epsilon4 allele non-carriers (p<0.05). The adjusted odds ratios for epsilon4 and epsilon2 alleles versus epsilon3 allele were 2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 3.8, p<0.05) and 1.2 (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.77, p<0.514), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study revealed a strong association of apolipoprotein E locus with hypertension and lipid profile. However, large population-based studies are needed to understand the exact role played by the locus in causing the condition.
Bhavani
A B
AB
Departments of Genetics and Cardiology, Osmania University and CARE Hospital, Hyderabad.
Sastry
K B
KB
Reddy
N Krishna
NK
Padma
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D017931:DNA Primers; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D004247:DNA; D002784:Cholesterol