title: APOE polymorphism as a potential determinant of functional fitness in the elderly regardless of nutritional status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Life expectancy is determined by a combination of genetic predisposition (~25%) and environmental influences (~75%). Nevertheless a stronger genetic influence is anticipated in long-living individuals. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene belongs among the most studied candidate genes of longevity. We evaluated the relation of APOE polymorphism and fitness status in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined a total number of 128 subjects, over 80 years of age. Using a battery of functional tests their fitness status was assessed and the subjects were stratified into 5 functional categories according to Spirduso´s classification. Biochemistry analysis was performed by enzymatic method using automated analyzers. APOE gene polymorphism was analysed performed using PCR-RFLP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  APOE4 allele carriers had significantly worse fitness status compared to non-carriers (p=0.025). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the APOE4 carriers had higher risk (p=0.05) of functional unfitness compared to APOE2/E3 individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APOE gene polymorphism seems be an important genetic contributor to frailty development in the elderly. While APOE2 carriers tend to remain functionally fit till higher age, the functional status of APOE4 carriers deteriorates more rapidly.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, Czech Republic. Michaela.Snejdrlova@vfn.cz
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Snejdrlova
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kalvach
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Topinkova
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrablik
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prochazkova
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kvasilova
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lanska
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zlatohlavek
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prusikova
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D056084:Genetic Fitness / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E