Apolipoprotein E and B polymorphisms--longevity factors assessed in nonagenarians

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Genetic predisposition significantly influences coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
• Understanding genetic factors in extreme longevity is crucial for public health.
• Certain apolipoprotein E (apo E) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) gene variants are associated with increased CHD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of genetic risk factors for CHD in nonagenarians.
• To determine if specific apo E and apo B gene polymorphisms are less common in extremely old individuals.
• To assess plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in relation to extreme age.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study comparing nonagenarians with younger adult control groups.
• Analysis of allele frequencies for apolipoprotein E (apo E) epsilon 4 and apolipoprotein B (apo B) EcoRI R- and XbaI polymorphisms.
• Measurement of plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations.

Main Results:

• The frequency of the apo E epsilon 4 allele was significantly lower in nonagenarians (P < 0.05).
• The apo B EcoRI R- allele frequency was also found to be low in the nonagenarian group.
• No significant differences were observed in apo B XbaI polymorphism frequencies or plasma lipoprotein(a) levels between groups.

Conclusions:

• The reduced prevalence of apo E epsilon 4 and apo B R- alleles in nonagenarians suggests a protective role against premature mortality.
• These genetic variants may decrease the likelihood of an individual reaching extreme old age due to their association with CHD risk.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between genetics, aging, and cardiovascular health.