Comparative study of apolipoprotein-E polymorphism and plasma lipid levels in dyslipidemic and asymptomatic subjects, and their implication in cardio/cerebro-vascular disorders.

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein-E (apoE) gene may modulate lipoprotein metabolism at different steps and influence total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDLc) levels, as well as other lipid features. Population studies have documented significant differences in the frequency of apoE alleles which are related to the prevalence of various cardio-vascular and neuro-psychiatric diseases. In this study, the apoE genotypes and allele frequencies were analyzed in 216 individuals (109 dyslipidemic and 107 normo-lipidic subjects), and the relative contribution of apoE polymorphism on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, as well as risk factors was evaluated.