Association between apolipoprotein E genotype, serum lipids, and colorectal cancer in Brazilian individuals.
We evaluated genetic variants of apolipoprotein E (APOE HhaI) and their association with serum lipids in colorectal cancer (CRC), together with eating habits and personal history. Eight-seven adults with CRC and 73 controls were studied. APOE*2 (rs7412) and APOE*4 (rs429358) were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. APOE gene polymorphisms were similar in both groups, but the epsilon4/epsilon4 genotype (6%) was present only in controls. The patients had reduced levels (mean +/- SD) of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction (180.4 +/- 49.5 and 116.1 +/- 43.1 mg/dL, respectively) compared to controls (204.2 +/- 55.6, P = 0.135 and 134.7 +/- 50.8 mg/dL; P = 0.330, respectively) indicating that they were not statistically significant after the Bonferroni correction. The APOE*4 allele was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction and increased levels of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction and triglycerides only among patients (P = 0.014). There was a positive correlation between the altered lipid profile and increased body mass indexes in both groups (P < 0.010). Moreover, a higher rate of hypertension and overweight was observed in controls (P < 0.002). In conclusion, the presence of the epsilon4/epsilon4 genotype only in controls may be due to a protective effect against CRC. Lower lipid profile values among patients, even those on lipid-rich diets associated with the APOE*4 allele, suggest alterations in the lipid synthesis and metabolism pathways in CRC.
Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto.
D R S
DR
Souza
M A
MA
Nakazone
M A S
MA
Pinhel
R M
RM
Alvares
A C
AC
Monaco
A
A
Pinheiro
C F D C
CF
Barros
P M
PM
Cury
G S
GS
Cunrath
J G
JG
Netinho
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors
D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D008055:Lipids