Variance decomposition of apolipoproteins and lipids in Danish twins.
OBJECTIVE
Twin studies are used extensively to decompose the variance of a trait, mainly to estimate the heritability of the trait. A second purpose of such studies is to estimate to what extent the non-genetic variance is shared or specific to individuals. To a lesser extent the twin studies have been used in bivariate or multivariate analysis to elucidate common genetic factors to two or more traits.


RESULTS
In the present study the variances of traits related to lipid metabolism is decomposed in a relatively large Danish twin population, including bivariate analysis to detect possible common genetic factors of the traits.


CONCLUSIONS
The heritabilities of apolipoprotein B and E, cholesterol, LDL, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were significant in the general population, although gender-specific levels and significance were detected. Heritabilities of apolipoprotein A1, triglycerides, and very low density protein (VLDL) were only significant when the population was stratified according to gender.
Fenger
Mogens
M
Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, KBA339, Kettegaard Alle 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. mogens.fenger@hh.hosp.dk
Benyamin
Beben
B
Schousboe
Karoline
K
Sørensen
Thorkild I A
TI
Kyvik
Kirsten O
KO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol