title: Effects of lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase genotypes, enzyme levels, and activity on high-density lipoprotein levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is one of the key enzymes controlling cholesterol homeostasis and plays a primary role in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) maturation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of LCAT gene polymorphisms 511C/T (exon4), 4886C/T (rs5923), and 608C/T (rs5922) on LCAT enzyme level, activity, and HDL-C levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population was selected from consecutive subjects with low (<35 mg/dL) and high HDL-C levels (>65 mg/dL) seen in our lipid clinic. LCAT polymorphisms were analyzed with a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. LCAT activity and levels were measured by colorimetric enzymatic and enzyme-linked immunoassay methods, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 4886C/T polymorphism was the most commonly observed variant of LCAT gene. T-allele frequencies in subjects with low (n = 50) and high (n = 50) HDL-C were 0.54 and 0.37, respectively (P = .019). TT genotype was more common among low HDL-C group (30% vs 14%, P = .05). The effects of LCAT enzyme appeared to depend on the HDL-C level. In subjects with low HDL-C, LCAT enzyme levels correlated positively with body mass index (P < .001, r = 0.544), HDL-C (P = .006, r = 0.404), triglycerides (P = .001, r = 0.487), total cholesterol (P < .001, r = 0.541), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P = .001, r = 0.477) levels. LCAT activity correlated positively with fasting glucose levels (P = .008, r = 0.390).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LCAT genotype, enzyme level, and activity modulate HDL-C metabolism, particularly among subjects with low HDL-C levels.
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Medical Biology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Agirbasli
authors: Department of Medical Biology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Beyazit
authors: B
authors: Cirakoglu
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Eren
authors: Department of Cardiology, Marmara University Medical Center, Goztepe Mah. Yesilbahar Sok. Palmiye Apt 68/14, 34730 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Mutlu
authors: M
authors: Sumerkan
authors: Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Sukru
authors: S
authors: Aksoy
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Cenk
authors: C
authors: Aral
authors: Department of Cardiology, Marmara University Medical Center, Goztepe Mah. Yesilbahar Sok. Palmiye Apt 68/14, 34730 Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: magirbasli@gmail.com.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Agirbasli