title: ApoE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism, ApoC-III/ApoE ratio and metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contain both apolipoproteins E (ApoE) and C-III (ApoC-III), which show opposite functional properties. The relationships between the ApoE (epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4) gene polymorphism and ApoC-III/ApoE ratio has never been investigated. A large population (n=552) of cardiovascular patients, without diabetes and/or lipid-lowering therapy, with or without metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), was genotyped for epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism and their ApoCIII/ApoE ratio was evaluated. A second group of patients (n=76) with peripheral artery disease was also genotyped and their ApoC-III/ApoE ratios were measured in HDL and non-HDL fractions. Subjects with E2 had higher and E4 carriers lower TG,ApoE and ApoC-III levels, respectively. The ApoCIII/ ApoE ratio showed an opposite trend, gradually increasing from E2/E2 to E4/E4 subjects. MetSyn patients also had an elevated ApoC-III/ApoE ratio and E4 carriers were more frequent in MetSyn patients (OR 2.08 with a 95%CI 1.22-3.5). The distribution of ApoC-III/ApoE ratio was confirmed also in the second group, with lower values in E2/E3 and higher in E3/E4 subjects. Similar results were obtained for the concentrations measured in non-HDL fractions, but not in the HDL fractions. ApoE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 gene polymorphism is a determinant of the relative proportion of apolipoprotein C-III to E. Carriers of the unfavourable E4 allele present the highest ApoCIII/ApoE ratio and are twofold more frequent among individuals affected by MetSyn.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Cattedra di Medicina Interna, University of Verona, Policlinico Borgo Roma, 37134, Verona, Italy. oliviero.olivieri@univr.it
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trabetti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Girelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pizzolo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friso
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Pignatti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corrocher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053305:Apolipoprotein C-III / Q000097:blood*; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics*; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D053305:Apolipoprotein C-III; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D001057:Apolipoproteins E