Relation of apolipoprotein E polymorphism to markers of early atherosclerotic changes in young adults--the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
BACKGROUND
Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), which is measured by ultrasound, is used in the assessment of early atherosclerotic changes, and has been associated with apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism in many studies comprising elderly subjects. However, results are still inconclusive and data relating to young adults are missing. Whether common APOE polymorphism is related to carotid IMT was studied in a population of young adults. Also brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery compliance (CAC) were determined to clarify their relation to this genetic factor.


RESULTS
A total of 1,188 young adults (aged 24-39 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study with complete data of common APOE polymorphism underwent a carotid and brachial ultrasound. Patients' lipid levels and blood pressure were also examined. There was no significant association between the APOE phenotypes and carotid IMT, brachial FMD or CAC either in young men or in young women. The results were similar for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the same population, the well-known association between APOE phenotypes and lipids was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Common APOE polymorphism does not seem to be an independent genetic determinant of carotid IMT, brachial FMD or CAC.
Grönroos
Paula
P
Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. paula.gronroos@tyks.fi
Raitakari
Olli T
OT
Kähönen
Mika
M
Hutri-Kähönen
Nina
N
Juonala
Markus
M
Marniemi
Jukka
J
Viikari
Jorma
J
Lehtimäki
Terho
T
D000328:Adult; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids