title: ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 gene polymorphisms and serum lipid levels in young Greek nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is essential protein involved in lipid metabolism. The present study was undertaken to detect the possible association of polymorphisms in the ABCA1 gene [rs2230806 (R219K) and rs2230808 (R1587K)] and lipid profile in Greek young nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 308 unrelated nurses who were genotyped and the ABCA1 polymorphisms were detected. Additionally, lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) A] was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the R219K polymorphism according to lipid profile. The R1587K genotypes differed significantly according to TC, LDL-C and TGs concentration (p = 0.023, p = 0.014 and p = 0.047, respectively). Particularly, significant difference in TC, LDL-C and TGs concentration was detected between RK and RR genotypes (p = 0.006, p = 0.004, p = 0.014, respectively). Women with RK genotype compared to RR genotype had higher concentration of TGs (134.25 mg/dl vs 108.89 mg/dl, p = 0.014, respectively), total cholesterol (207.41 mg/dl vs 187.69 mg/dl, p = 0.006, respectively), and LDL-C (110.6 mg/dl vs 96.9 mg/dl, p = 0.004, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the R1587K polymorphism of ABCA1 gene was associated with lipid profile of Greek nurses. Women with RK genotype had higher TGs, total and LDL-C concentration compared to RR genotype. These observations may be significant in assessing the risk of CAD since a 1% change in LDL-C is associated with a 1% change of cardiovascular events. Also, TGs concentration were documented to play a significant role in women. However, this needs to be confirmed by larger studies.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: Genovefa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: Apostolia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marvaki
authors.forename: Agathi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karakosta
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasilopoulos
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalogiani
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degiannis
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marvaki
authors.forename: Constantinos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Demopoulos
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D009726:Nurses; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C577836:ABCA1 protein, human; D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol