[Effects of polymorphism of apolipoprotein E gene on body mass index and plasma lipid levels in obese children]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and plasma lipid levels in obese children with different apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes.

Methods: BMI, ApoE genotype and plasma level of lipid were measured in 324 obese children. Genotype of ApoE was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Distribution of genotypes was E3/3 in 198(61.1%), E3/4 in 36(11.1%), E2/3 in 54 (16.7%) and E4/4 in 36(11.1%). In the ApoE3 group, BMI correlated significantly with all indices of blood lipid (P < 0.05). However, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), correlation between other indices of blood lipid and BMI varied in the ApoE genotypes. In the ApoE2 group, BMI correlated significantly with TG (P < 0.05), but not with ApoA I or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). In the ApoE4 group, BMI correlated significant with HDL-C and ApoA I (P < 0.05), but not with TG.

Conclusion: Polymorphism of the ApoE gene could play a role in association of BMI with plasma level of lipid.