title: The -93T/G LPL Promoter Polymorphism Is Associated With Lower Third-Trimester Triglycerides in Pregnant African American Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and several pregnancy complications. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) genetic variation modulates nonpregnancy plasma triglycerides, but its effects during pregnancy are unknown. The G allele of the LPL -93T/G promoter polymorphism is 16-23 times more prevalent in Blacks than in Whites, contributing to lower triglycerides in nonpregnant African Americans by increasing LPL expression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether the triglyceride-lowering effect of -93G is observed in African Americans during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genotyping was performed on 124 African American women with uncomplicated pregnancies for common functional LPL polymorphisms/mutations (-93T/G, D9N, N291S, and S447X). Third-trimester plasma triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and free fatty acid concentrations were measured with colorimetric assays. Clinical characteristics and lipid values were compared across the -93T/G genotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Triglycerides were significantly lower in women with the -93GG compared to the -93TT genotype, both with (n = 124, p = .02) and without (n = 108, p = .03) inclusion of participants with other LPL variant alleles. Triglyceride differences persisted after adjustment for prepregnancy body mass index, gestational age at delivery, and smoking. There were no significant differences in the other lipids or apolipoprotein B by -93T/G genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the considerable metabolic changes accompanying pregnancy, the triglyceride-lowering effect associated with the -93GG LPL genotype in African Americans persists during late pregnancy. The -93GG genotype might protect against pregnancy complications stemming from hypertriglyceridemia, but the overall increased risk of pregnancy complications in African American women points to complex, multifactorial relationships among risk factors, race, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Mandy J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schmella
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ferrell
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Marcia J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gallaher
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lykins
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Althouse
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA chubel@mwri.magee.edu.
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hubel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000235:genetics*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C548261:LPL protein, human; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase
keywords: LPL; genetics; lipids; pregnancy; race