Apolipoprotein e phenotypes and serum lipid levels in apparently healthy male adults in Tokyo

Abstract

SummaryThis study was performed to investigate whether the ~4 allele of the apolipoprotein (apo) E predisposes Japanese male adults in large cities to hyperlipidemia. The apo E phenotypes and serum total lipid levels were determined using blood samples obtained after an overnight fast from 85 apparently healthy Japanese male civil servants in Tokyo. The frequency of hyperlipidemia was 50.0~ in 20 subjects with the apo E4-positive phenotype and 25.8~ in 62 subjects with the apo E3/3 phenotype. The difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean (_+SD) serum triglyceride levels, which were calculated on the subjects with serum triglyceride lower than 250 mg/dl, was 132.8_+5.1 mg/dl in 18 subjects with the apo E4-positive phenotype and 108.4_+43.0 mg/dl in 58 subjects with the apo E3/3 phenotype. The difference is also statistically significant (p<0.05). The data suggest that the e4 allele might predispose Japanese adults in large cities to hyperlipidemia.

Association of the apolipoprotein E4 allele with hypercholesterolemia in apparently healthy male adults in Tokyo

“…The apo E4 allele is present in about 20~ of populations. Besides the evidence for the association of the apo E2 allele with type [II hyperlipoproteinemia (Havel, 1982), there is growing evidence that the apo E4 allele is involved in predisposing one to hyperlipidemia (Assmann et al, 1984;Utermann et al, 1984;Leren et al, 1985;Sing and Davignon, 1985;Tsuchiya et al, 1986;Boerwinkle et al, 1987;Ordovas et al, 1987;Pagnan et aI., 1987). In addition, an association of the apo E4 allele with hypercholesterolemia has been demonstrated in Caucasian populations (Utermann et aL, 1984;Leren et al, 1985).…”