Apolipoprotein E genotype is related to plasma levels of C-reactive protein and lipids and to longevity in nonagenarians.
OBJECTIVE
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype is a regulator of hepatic lipoprotein metabolisms and has been linked with longevity. The relationship between APOE genotype and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced by the liver during inflammation, has not been studied in nonagenarians. The aim of the present study was to establish whether APOE genotype is related to plasma concentrations of CRP and lipids, or longevity among nonagenarians.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study consisted of 291 Finnish nonagenarians and three previously described and genotyped control populations from the same area (i.e. newborns, 40-year-olds, and 70-year-olds).


RESULTS
In all nonagenarians and especially in women (P= 0.038), CRP level decreased linearly in the genotype order of epsilon2/2, epsilon2/3, epsilon3/3, epsilon2/4, epsilon3/4 and epsilon4/4. Total (P= 0.009) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.076) levels, in turn, were increased in the epsilon4 allele carriers. In newborns, the epsilon4 frequency was 0.192, in 40-year-olds 0.181, in 70-year-olds 0.179 and in nonagenarians 0.095 (P < 0.0001). The decrease in the epsilon4 allele frequency in the elderly was more clearly seen in women than in men.


CONCLUSIONS
APOEepsilon4 allele seems to be associated with decreased inflammatory response as measured by CRP among nonagenarians. This finding may partly explain why some epsilon4 allele carriers can reach very old age despite increased risk of hypercholesterolaemia.
Laboratory of Atherosclerosis Genetics, Tampere University Hospital, Centre for Laboratory Medicine and Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Tampere, Medical School, Finland. riika.rontu@uta.fi
Riikka
R
Rontu
Petri
P
Ojala
Antti
A
Hervonen
Sirkka
S
Goebeler
Pekka J
PJ
Karhunen
Matti
M
Nikkilä
Tarja
T
Kunnas
Marja
M
Jylhä
Carita
C
Eklund
Mikko
M
Hurme
Terho
T
Lehtimäki
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol