Association of apolipoprotein (Apo)E genotype with plasma apo E levels

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of apolipoprotein (apo) E genotype on plasma apo E levels as well as serum total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose values in 734 middle-aged and elderly, female and male subjects. Apo E allele frequencies were similar to those reported in other Caucasian populations. After adjustment for medications, alcohol use, smoking, age, and body mass index, apo E genotype was noted to have significant effects on apo E, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose levels in females, and on apo E, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels, as well as the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL cholesterol ratio in males. Female and male subjects with the apo E4 allele had significantly (P<0.05) lower plasma apo E (25 and 15%) and higher LDL cholesterol levels (5 and 2%), while those with the apo E2 allele had significantly (P<0.05) higher apo E (32 and 27%) and lower LDL cholesterol levels (10 and 10%) than the apo E3/3 group. Moreover, female apo E4 carriers had significantly (P<0.05) lower glucose values (11%) than the apo E3/3 group. These data are consistent with the concept that, in addition to the well known effects of apo E genotype on LDL-C values, this locus plays a very significant role in modulating plasma apo E levels.