Serum Lipid and Blood Pressure Responses to Quercetin Vary in Overweight Patients by Apolipoprotein E Genotype

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the effect of a quercetin supplementation on blood pressure, lipid metabolism, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and body composition in an at-risk population of 93 overweight-obese volunteers aged 25-65 y with metabolic syndrome traits in relation to apolipoprotein (apo) E genotype. Participants were randomized to receive 150 mg/d quercetin in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with 6-wk treatment periods separated by a 5-wk washout period. Retrospectively, 5 apoE genotype variants were found (epsilon2/epsilon3, n = 3; epsilon3/epsilon3, n = 60; epsilon3/epsilon4, n = 23; epsilon2/epsilon4, n = 4; and epsilon4/epsilon4, n = 3). Participants were classified into the following 3 apoE phenotypes: apoE2 (n = 3), apoE3 (n = 60), and apoE4 (n = 26). Data were analyzed for apoE3 and apoE4 subgroups. Quercetin decreased systolic blood pressure by 3.4 mm Hg (P < 0.01) in the apoE3 group, whereas no significant effect was observed in the apoE4 group. Quercetin decreased serum HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01) and apoA1 (P < 0.01) and increased the LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio (P < 0.05) in the apoE4 subgroup, whereas the apoE3 subgroup had no significant changes in these variables. Quercetin significantly decreased plasma oxidized LDL and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the apoE3 and apoE4 groups, whereas no significant inter-group differences were found. Serum C-reactive protein and nutritional status (body weight, waist circumference, fat mass, fat-free mass) were unaffected compared with placebo. In conclusion, quercetin exhibited blood pressure-lowering effects in overweight-obese carriers of the apo epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype but not in carriers of the epsilon4 allele. Furthermore, quercetin supplementation resulted in a reduction in HDL cholesterol and apoA1 in apo epsilon4 carriers.

Using Individual, ApoE Genotype-Based Dietary and Physical Activity Advice to Promote Healthy Lifestyles in Finland—Impacts on Cardiovascular Risk Markers

“…Minihane et al (2000) showed in their studies that apoE Ɛ4 carriers' total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased after a fish oil supplementation, and HDL cholesterol decreased compared with apoE Ɛ3 carriers [20]. Further, Egert et al (2010) found that apoE Ɛ3 carriers had a better response to quercetin (flavonols) supplementation than apoE Ɛ4 carriers [21]. The differences were revealed in systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and ratio of LDL:HDL cholesterol [21].…”

“…Further, Egert et al (2010) found that apoE Ɛ3 carriers had a better response to quercetin (flavonols) supplementation than apoE Ɛ4 carriers [21]. The differences were revealed in systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and ratio of LDL:HDL cholesterol [21].…”

“…fat quality) and exercise than apoE Ɛ3 or Ɛ2 carriers [14] [18] [19]. However, controversial outcomes have also been observed, for example after flavonoid or fish oil supplementation [20] [21]. Third, because of the multifactorial nature of lifestyle related diseases, there are only a few studies that have been done in this field.…”

ApoE genotype: from geographic distribution to function and responsiveness to dietary factors

“…We have recently found that overweight and obese patients with metabolic syndrome traits carrying the apoE e3 are highly responsive towards the blood pressure lowering effects of dietary quercetin supplementation, whereas apoE e4 carriers, by large, do not benefit (45) (Table 5). We hypothesised that quercetin supplementation may have resulted in higher endothelial NO levels in apoE e3 v. apoE e4 carriers due to potential differences in the cellular redox and inflammatory states between the two genotypes.…”

Enriched cereal bars are more effective in increasing plasma quercetin compared with quercetin from powder-filled hard capsules

“…A dosage of approximately 130 mg quercetin was chosen, since it has been shown to lower resting systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and plasma concentrations of oxidised LDL in our previous placebocontrolled cross-over study in overweight patients with a high CVD risk phenotype (9,10) . With both treatments, cereal bars and capsules, quercetin was administered as quercetin aglycone.…”