Apolipoprotein E polymorphism distribution in an elderly Brazilian population: the BambuĂ­ Health and Aging Study.

Authors: Fuzikawa AK; Peixoto SV; Taufer M; Moriguchi EH; Lima-Costa MF

Abstract: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is one of the most extensively studied genes in the context of aging, but there are few population-based studies on ApoE polymorphism in the elderly in developing countries. The objective of the present study was to assess ApoE allele and genotype distribution in a large elderly community-based sample and its association with age, sex and skin color. Participants included 1408 subjects (80.8% of all residents aged (3)60 years) residing in Bambui city, MG, Brazil. The DNA samples were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction amplification, followed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, with digestion by HhaI. Analysis was carried out taking into consideration the six ApoE genotypes (e3/e3, e3/e4, e2/e3, e4/e4, e2/e4, and e2/e2), the three ApoE alleles, and the number of ApoE4 alleles for each individual. The e3 allele predominated (80.0%), followed by e4 (13.5%) and e2 (6.5%). All six possible genotypes were observed, the e3/e3 genotype being the most frequent (63.4%). This distribution was similar to that described in other western populations. Sex was not associated with number of ApoE4 alleles. Black skin color was significantly and independently associated with the presence of two ApoE4 alleles (age-sex adjusted OR = 7.38; 95%CI = 1.93-28.25), showing that the African-Brazilian elderly have a high prevalence of the e4 allele, as observed in blacks from Africa. No association between number of ApoE4 alleles and age was found, suggesting the absence of association of ApoE genotype with mortality in this population.

Keywords: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alleles; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics; Brazil; DNA/analysis/genetics; Female; Gene Frequency/*genetics; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; *Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Journal: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofisica ... [et al.]
Volume: 40
Issue: 11
Pages: 1429-34
Date: Oct. 16, 2007
PMID: 17934638
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Citation:

Fuzikawa AK, Peixoto SV, Taufer M, Moriguchi EH, Lima-Costa MF (2007) Apolipoprotein E polymorphism distribution in an elderly Brazilian population: the BambuĂ­ Health and Aging Study. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofisica ... [et al.] 40: 1429-34.


Lifespan Factors:
  • APOE apolipoprotein E

  • Longevity Variant Associations (p-value):
  • APOE polymorphism (0.437)

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