Drinking habits influence the relationship between apolipoprotein AII and body mass index

The relationships of cigarette smoking, exercise, and body mass index (BMI) to the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI), apolipoprotein AII (Apo AII), and % of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol (%HDL-C) were assessed in 495 employees of a telephone company in Japan. They were subdivided into four groups by frequency of alcohol intake: nondrinkers (n = 28), those who drank once per week (n = 78), those who drank 2 to 5 times per week (n = 245), and those who drank 6 to 7 times per week (n = 144). Although univariate analysis before grouping showed a positive correlation between Apo AII and BMI, multiple analysis examined in each group showed the positive relationship only in the nondrinking group. The relationship between BMI and Apo AII would thus appear to depend on drinking habits.