Apolipoprotein AV variants do not affect C-reactive protein levels in Caucasian males

The important role of APOAV gene variants in determination of plasma triglyceride levels has been shown in many population studies. Recently, an influence of APOAV T-1131>C polymorphism on C-reactive protein (CRP) in young Korean males has been reported. We have therefore analyzed a putative association between T-1131>C, Ser19>Trp and Val153>Met APOAV variants (PCR and restriction analysis) and CRP concentrations in 1119 Caucasian males, aged between 28 and 67 years (49.2+/-10.8 years). The frequency of C allele carriers was lower in Caucasians than in Koreans (15.5% vs. 46.2%). CRP levels did not differ between T/T homozygotes (n=946, 1.61+/-2.05 mg/l) and carriers of the C allele (n=173, 1.67+/-1.95 mg/l). Thus, in contrast to Korean males, T-1131>C APOAV variant has no effect on plasma concentrations of CRP in a large group of Caucasian males. Other APOAV variants (Ser19>Trp and Val153>Met) did not also influence plasma concentrations of CRP. APOAV variants are unlikely to be an important genetic determinant of plasma CRP concentrations in Caucasian males.