title: The association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipid levels in children with a family history of premature coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene may modulate lipoprotein metabolism and influence plasma lipid levels. Thus, they have been associated with relative risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipid levels in children with family history of premature coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The apoE genotypes, allele frequencie,s and plasma lipid levels were analyzed in 137 children. Among these children, 70 (study group) had and 67 (control group) did not have a parental history of premature CAD RESULTS: Total cholesterol (Tc) levels were greater in the study group (P = .04). The frequencies of ɛ3ɛ4 genotype and ɛ4 allele were significantly greater in the study group (P = 005 for both), Thɛ ɛ2 allele correlated negatively with Tc and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and ɛ4 had a positive correlation with Tc and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tc levels are influenced by apoE genotypes in childhood. Also, the frequency of the ɛ4 allele is greater in children with family history of premature CAD. The ɛ4 allele may be associated with an increased risk for development of atherosclerosis by elevated levels of Tc in children with family history of CAD. The evaluation of apoE gene polymorhisms may contribute to the assessment of cardiovascular risk in children with a family history of CAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey 45010. drdilekyilmaz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Dilek Yılmaz
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Ciftdoğan
authors.forename: Senol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Cevval
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ulman
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tıkız
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol