title: The effects of ApoE gene polymorphisms on lumbar spine bone mineral density and carotid atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the correlation between osteoporosis and carotid atherosclerosis (CA) by exploring the effects of ApoE gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and CA.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected 221 elderly Han male patients and divided them into four groups: control, CA, BMD↓, and CA+BMD↓ according to their carotid ultrasonography and lumbar BMD results. ApoE gene polymorphisms were examined in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CA group had a higher incidence of ApoE4 isoforms compared to normal controls (P<0.05). The ApoE4 isoform incidence in the BMD↓ and BMD↓/CA groups showed no significant difference from control. ApoE4 genotype incidences in the CA group, BMD ↓ group, and CA/BMD ↓ group were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ApoE4 genotype may be a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis, but is not correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine in elderly Han males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Provincial Clinic College of Fujian Medical University, Provincial Hospital of Fujian, Fuzhou 350001, China. hjm996@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Huinan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E