Apolipoprotein E in temporal lobe epilepsy: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype, plasma levels of apoE and lipids in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients in Asian Indians. Status of plasma levels of Apo E in epilepsy patients has not been reported till date.


METHODS
ApoE gene polymorphism was analyzed in 58 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 57 age and sex approximated controls using Polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Levels of plasma apoE and lipids were measured using ELISA and enzymatic kits respectively.


RESULTS
The distribution of ApoE genotype in epilepsy patients and controls was comparable. Higher levels of plasma ApoE were observed in TLE patients as compared to controls (p=0.0001). Individuals with plasma levels of apoE > 190 mg/L were at 20 times higher odds (95%CI=2.46-163.34, p=0.005), while those with levels of apoE between 150-190 mg/L were at 4.9 times higher odds (95% CI=1.85-13.9, p=0.001), to develop TLE.


CONCLUSIONS
We have observed for the first time, high levels of plasma apoE in epilepsy patients. The findings of this case-control study suggest that apolipoprotein E may play an important role in epilepsy.
Kumar
Amit
A
Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India.
Tripathi
Manjari
M
Pandey
Ravindra M
RM
Ramakrishnan
Lakshmy
L
Srinivas
M
M
Luthra
Kalpana
K
D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids