Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and the characteristics of diseased vessels in male Chinese patients with angiographic coronary artery disease: a case-case study.
BACKGROUND
Variations in the apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene may predict the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the correlation between apo E polymorphism and the severity of CAD is still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism can predict CAD.


METHODS
Used a case-case study of 213 Chinese angiographically-defined CAD patients who were screened for apo E genotypes. The characteristics of their diseased vessels were recorded.


RESULTS
Apolipoprotein E4 carriers had > 75% stenosis, more wide-ranging and longer vessel disease, a greater number of diseased vessels, and a higher Gensini score than apo E2 carriers or individuals with the apo E3/3 genotype. Apolipoprotein E2 carriers had < or =75% stenosis and a shorter length of vessel disease than individuals with the apo E3/3 genotype or apo E4 carriers. The severity of stenosis, length of vessel disease, and number of diseased vessels were affected by the interaction between genotype and body mass index, family history of CAD, total plasma cholesterol level, smoking history, and hypertension history.


CONCLUSIONS
The apo E4 allele may serve as an independent genetic marker predicting severity of CAD. Other CAD risk factors may accelerate the process of pathogenesis. The apo E2 allele may play a protective role.
Li
Shao-Sheng
SS
Department of Cardiology, Xi Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Yang
Jie
J
Li
Lan-Sun
LS
Wang
Hai-Chang
HC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002784:Cholesterol