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Apolipoprotein E ε4 Genotype is Independently Associated with Increased Intima‐Media Thickness in a Recessive Pattern
Author(s) -
Wohlin M.,
Sundström J.,
Lannfelt Lars,
Axelsson Tomas,
Syvänen A. C.,
Andrén B.,
Basu S.,
Lind L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-007-3045-5
Subject(s) - medicine , allele , genotype , apolipoprotein e , lipidology , endocrinology , apolipoprotein b , intima media thickness , body mass index , clinical chemistry , biology , genetics , cholesterol , disease , gene , carotid arteries
Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene have been associated with lipid levels, carotid intima media thickness (CCA‐IMT), inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Earlier findings suggested an association of the Apo E alleles with increased CCA‐IMT following a recessive pattern. Whether associations might be independent of C‐reactive protein (CRP), lipid levels and other CVD risk factors is not known. We investigated the relationships between Apo E (ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles) and CCA‐IMT, measured by B‐mode ultrasound, in dominant and recessive models in a community‐based sample of 437 men 75 years of age. In men homozygous for the ε4 allele CCA‐IMT was significantly increased by 0.13 mm to 0.86 ± 0.16 mm compared to 0.73 ± 0.19 mm in non‐ ε4‐carriers ( P = 0.0012) and 0.73 ± 0.21 mm in ε4 heterozygous ( P = 0.0044) in unadjusted recessive models. The association between Apo E ε4 genotype and CCA‐IMT was independent of Apo E ε2 and Apo E ε3 alleles, CRP, lipid variables (TG, LDL, HDL) and other CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes) ( P = 0.018). No relations between Apo E genotype and CCA‐IMT were observed in dominant models. No significant associations between the Apo E ε2 and ε3 alleles and CCA‐IMT were found. In this study, men homozygous with the ApoE ε4 allele had thicker CCA‐IMT, independently of Apo E ε2 and ε3 alleles, CRP, lipid variables (TG, LDL, HDL) and other CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes), suggesting CCA‐IMT to be modified by the ApoE ε4 genotype in a recessive pattern.