Genetic influences on age‐related change in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Longitudinal apolipoprotein E genotype effects

摘要

AbstractThis study addressed the possible influence of apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotype on age‐related changes in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), and triglyceride (TG) levels in older males. Apo E is a component of LDL, is a ligand for the LDL receptor, and apo E genotype has been consistently associated with variation in mean levels of TC and LDL‐C, and also appears to influence TG levels. Using male twins followed longitudinally between mean ages of 48 and 63 years, the change in TC, LDL‐C, and TG over time for individuals with the ϵ3ϵ3 and the ϵ3ϵ4 genotypes was contrasted. At exam 1 mean TC and LDL‐C levels were lower in the ϵ3ϵ3 group than in the ϵ3ϵ4 group, but at exam 3 mean TC and LDL‐C levels were significantly higher in the ϵ3ϵ3 group than in the ϵ3ϵ4 group. The rate of change in TC and LDL‐C with age differed significantly between ϵ3ϵ3 and ϵ3ϵ4 groups. Results for TG were not statistically significantly. These findings suggest that the apo E genotype effects on risk of coronary artery disease may be age‐dependent. This study demonstrates the value of longitudinal studies in refining models for genetic risk factors fo