Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and serum lipid profile in Saudi patients with psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants have been reported to influence psoriasis risk. However, data is limited to a few ethnicities and no similar study has been performed in middle eastern populations. We investigated this association in Saudi psoriasis patients.


METHODS
Saudi subjects (294) were genotyped for APOE gene using APOE StripAssay kit.


RESULTS
The frequencies of alleles ε2, ε4, and genotypes ε3/ε4 and ε3/ε2 were significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared with those in controls. The frequency of ε3 allele and ε3/ε3 genotype was significantly lower in patients. Other genotypes, ε2/ε4, ε2/ε2, and ε4/ε4, were absent in both groups. The serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients contrary to HDL level. Patients with APOE ε 4 had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, whereas those with the ε2 had higher HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.


CONCLUSIONS
APOE alleles ε2, ε4, and genotypes ε2/ε3 and ε4/ε3 are associated with psoriasis and can be a risk factor while allele ε3 and genotype ε3/ε3 may be protective for psoriasis in Saudis. Results of lipid profile support that psoriasis is one of the independent risk factors for hyperlipidemia and emphasize the need of screening cardiovascular diseases in psoriatic patients.
Department of Dermatology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Fahad
F
Al Harthi
Department of Dermatology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Ghaleb Bin
GB
Huraib
Department of Dermatology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman
A
Zouman
Research Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Misbahul
M
Arfin
Research Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad
M
Tariq
Research Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahaman
A
Al-Asmari
D000328:Adult; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065840:Protective Factors; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D055815:Young Adult
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids