title: Apolipoprotein E genotype and sex influence C-reactive protein levels regardless of exercise training status.
abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker for systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Regular exercise may decrease CRP. Apolipoprotein E (apo E) has 3 common genotype variants--E2/3, 3/3, and 3/4--that modulate lipid metabolism and may have other metabolic physiologic roles, including some evidence that the genotype affects CRP levels. We assessed fasting serum CRP in 117 (male = 51, female = 66) healthy adults who volunteered for a 6-month aerobic exercise program. Both pre- and posttraining measurements were available in 71 (male = 31, female = 40) subjects. At baseline and follow-up, the numbers of subjects in the 3 groups were approximately equal: 2/3, n = 33 and 20; 3/3, n = 41 and 26; and 3/4, n = 43 and 25. At baseline, CRP levels differed by apo E genotype: means +/- SD were 2.84 +/- 2.18, 2.59 +/- 2.34, and 1.90 +/- 2.13 mg/L for E2/3, 3/3, and 3/4 subjects, respectively (3/4 vs 2/3, P < .05). In women, CRP was higher than that in men (3.14 +/- 2.49 vs 2.12 +/- 2.13 mg/L, P < .006). Exercise failed to affect CRP in the entire cohort (2.68 +/- 2.38 vs 2.52 +/- 2.48 mg/L) or in any apo E genotype group, and the apo E genotype effect observed at baseline persisted after training. In a largely white study cohort, CRP is higher in apo E3/3 than in 3/4 subjects and in women compared with men, but remains unchanged by 6 months of standard aerobic exercise training of the volume and higher intensity promoted by national organizations to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. How apo E genotype affects CRP is not known.
authors.affiliation: Center for Lifestyle Medicine and Department of Health Professions, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA. tangelop@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Theodore J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Angelopoulos
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowndes
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sivo
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Seip
authors.forename: Linda S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Pescatello
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Zoeller
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Visich
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Niall M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Moyna
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002097:C-Reactive Protein