Relation of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism to Markers of Early Atherosclerotic Changes in Young Adults The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Abstract

ltrasonic methods, such as measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery compliance (CAC) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), have gained increasing acceptance in the assessment of early atherosclerotic changes. Especially, carotid IMT is widely used as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, but brachial FMD responses also predict future cardiovascular events in patient groups and decreased arterial elasticity has been implicated as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in high-risk individuals. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Convential cardiovascular risk factors (eg, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), in turn, have been associated with increased carotid IMT, decreased brachial FMD and decreased arterial elasticity. 1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Circulation Journal Vol.72, January 2008 Genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, partly by influencing plasma lipoprotein concentrations. 4,[14][15][16][17][18] Heritability estimates of interindividual differences in IMT range from 30% to 40% but the specific genes contributing to this variability are unknown. 4,19,20 Of the many candidate genes investigated for their possible influence on the risk of coronary artery disease, the gene for apolipoprotein E (APOE) has received much attention 4 and APOE polymorphism, in general, is considered an important genetic determinant and risk factor for coronary heart disease. 21,22 Genetic variation in the polymorphic APOE locus significantly affects plasma lipoprotein concentrations 17,19,20,23 but the effects on IMT, FMD or CAC are inadequately known. Several studies have examined the APOE gene with respect to carotid IMT but results have been inconclusive. 24,25 An association between the 4 allele and higher IMT or the 2 allele and lower IMT has been found in some, but not all, studies. 16,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Subjects in most previous studies have been middle-aged or older or have represented diverse patient groups. Furthermore, very little is known about whether the APOE locus affects interindividual variation of brachial FMD or CAC. 35,36 Therefore, we examined the relation of common APOE polymorphism to carotid IMT, brachial FMD and CAC in 1,188 young adults (aged 24-39 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Risk In Young Finns Study. In the same population, the lipid and lipoprotein levels as well as blood pressure were examined according to the APOE phenotypes. J 2008; 72: 29 -34 (Received February 27, 2007; revised manuscript received August 24, 2007; accepted September 3, 2007) Circ Relation of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism to Markers of Early Atherosclerotic Changes in Young AdultsThe Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study Paula Grönroos, MD, PhD* , **; Olli T. Raitakari, MD, PhD † ; Mika Kähönen, MD, PhD † † ; Nina Hutri-Kähönen, MD, PhD ‡ ; Markus Juonala, MD, PhD ‡ ‡ ; Jukka Marniemi, PhD § ; Jorma Viikari, MD, PhD § § ; Terho Lehtimäki, MD, PhD** Background Carotid artery intima-me...

Association of the SPTLC3 rs364585 polymorphism and serum lipid profiles in two Chinese ethnic groups

“…The individuals with TC > 5.17 mmol/L and/or TG > 1.70 mmol/L were defined as hyperlipidemic [33, 34]. Hypertension was diagnosed according to the criteria of 1999 World Health Organization-International Society of Hypertension Guide lines for the management of hypertension [35, 36].…”

Association of the angiopoietin-like protein 8 rs2278426 polymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels

“…The normal values of serum TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, ApoB levels and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio in our Clinical Science Experiment Center were 3.10–5.17, 0.56–1.70, 1.16–1.42, 2.70–3.10 mmol/l, 1.20–1.60, 0.80–1.05 g/l and 1.00–2.50, respectively. The individuals with TC>5.17 mmol/l and/or TG>1.70 mmol/l were defined as hyperlipidemic ( 33 , 34 ). Hypertension was diagnosed according to the criteria of the 1999 and 2003 World Health Organization-International Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of hypertension ( 35 – 37 ).…”

Polymorphism of rs873308 near the transmembrane protein 57 gene is associated with serum lipid levels

“…The individuals with TC>5.17 mmol/l and/or TAG>1.70 mmol/l were defined as hyperlipidaemic [19,20]. Hypertension was diagnosed according to the 1999 and 2003 criteria of the World Health Organization–International Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the management of hypertension [21–23].…”