Apolipoprotein E ε4 Genotype is Independently Associated with Increased Intima-Media Thickness in a Recessive Pattern

• Published in: Lipids 2007-05, Vol.42 (5), p.451-456
• Main Authors: Wohlin, M, Sundström, J, Lannfelt, Lars, Axelsson, Tomas, Syvänen, A. C, Andrén, B, Basu, S, Lind, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alleles; Apolipoprotein E; Apolipoproteins; Body mass index; Body size; C-reactive protein; Cardiovascular diseases; Carotid; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Heart diseases; High density lipoprotein; Hypertension; Intima‐media; Lipids; Low density lipoprotein; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Smoking; Thickness; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0024-4201; 1558-9307
• DOI: 10.1007/s11745-007-3045-5

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.