Effects of gender and menopausal status on the association of apolipoprotein E phenotype with plasma lipoprotein levels. Results from the Framingham Offspring Study.

Authors: Schaefer EJ; Lamon-Fava S; Johnson S; Ordovas JM; Schaefer MM; Castelli WP; Wilson PW

Abstract: Apolipoprotein (apo) E phenotype is an important genetic determinant of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apo B levels. We have determined apo E phenotype by isoelectric focusing and plasma lipid, lipoprotein cholesterol, apo A-I, apo B, and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as LDL particle size, in 2258 men and women participating in the Framingham Offspring Study. Apo E phenotype (E2/2, E2/4, E3/2, E3/3, E3/4, and E4/4) was not associated with plasma lipoprotein(a) levels but was associated with plasma LDL cholesterol levels, apo B levels, and LDL size in men and with plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apo B levels in women. The average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower plasma LDL cholesterol levels by 9.2 mg/dL in men and by 13.7 mg/dL in women, while the average effect of the epsilon 4 allele was to increase LDL cholesterol levels by 2.6 mg/dL in men and by 5.4 mg/dL in women. When men were divided into two groups according to their age (< 50 and > or = 50 years old), the average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower plasma levels of LDL cholesterol by 10.2 mg/dL in younger men and by 7.5 mg/dL in older men. In premenopausal women, the average effect of the epsilon 2 allele was to lower LDL cholesterol by 8.2 mg/dL and, in postmenopausal women, by 20.4 mg/dL. An opposite effect of the epsilon 4 allele was observed: the epsilon 4 allele was associated with increases in plasma LDL cholesterol levels of 4.0 mg/dL in younger men and of 1.0 mg/dL in older men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Keywords: Adult; Aged; Alleles; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics; Cholesterol/*blood; Coronary Disease/*blood/genetics; Female; Gene Frequency; Humans; Isoelectric Focusing; Lipids/blood; Male; *Menopause; Middle Aged; Phenotype; *Sex Characteristics; Triglycerides/blood
Journal: Arteriosclerosis and thrombosis : a journal of vascular biology / American Heart Association
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Pages: 1105-13
Date: July 1, 1994
PMID: 8018666
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Citation:

Schaefer EJ, Lamon-Fava S, Johnson S, Ordovas JM, Schaefer MM, Castelli WP, Wilson PW (1994) Effects of gender and menopausal status on the association of apolipoprotein E phenotype with plasma lipoprotein levels. Results from the Framingham Offspring Study. Arteriosclerosis and thrombosis : a journal of vascular biology / American Heart Association 14: 1105-13.


Lifespan Factors:
  • APOE apolipoprotein E


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