[Gender, age and plasma lipids differences associated with apolipoprotein E polymorphism in school children].
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of total cholesterol and LDL-c levels. Several studies have examined the relationship between variations at the APO E and cardiovascular disease. It is important to determine this relationship in the Colombian population.


OBJECTIVE
The relationship of apoE polymorphisms was associated with lipid profile by age and sex.


METHODS
A sample of 500 children aged 8 to 18 years, were selected from school populations in Quindio Province, Colombia. ApoE genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme. Lipid profiles were obtained by commercial kits.


RESULTS
The apoE allele frequencies were as follows: E3 - 91.6%, E2 - 5.3, and E4 - 3.1%. Genotypic frequencies were as follows: E3/E3 - 90.8%, E2/E3 - 5.6%, and E3/E4 - 3.2%. No homozygotes for E2/E2 and E4/E4 were recovered. Similar genotypic and allelic distribution was found for each gender. ApoE genotype and gender had a significant effect on total serum cholesterol (CT) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL). In boys these variables were related as follows: E4>E3>E2 (p<0.05); in girls the relationships were somewhat changed (E3>E4>E2). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-HDL) levels in boys were related as follows: E2>E4>E3; for girls, E4>E2>E3. In boys, for all variables, the protector effect was in E2; but in girls this allele was only a protector for CT and c-LDL, For triacylglycerol (TAG), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-VLDL) and c-HDL, this the protector effect was associated with the E4 allele, (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that modulation of apoE genotype on plasma lipids was influenced by gender and age, especially in girls older than 10 years.
Landázuri
Patricia
P
Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia. plandazu@uniquindio.edu.co <plandazu@uniquindio.edu.co>
Loango
Nelsy
N
Gallego
Martha Lucía
ML
Restrepo
Beatriz
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol