Abstract
BackgroundDyslipidemia is one of several known risk factors for coronary heart disease, a leading cause of death in Lithuania. Blood lipid levels are influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Epidemiological studies demonstrated the impact of nutrition on lipid levels within the Lithuanian population although the role of genetic factors for dyslipidemias has not yet been studied. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of the APOE, SCARB1, PPARα genotypes in the Lithuanian adult population and to determine the relationship of these genotypes with dyslipidemia.MethodsA cross-sectional health survey was carried out in a representative random sample of the Lithuanian population aged 25–64 (n=1030). A variety of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the APOE (rs429358 and rs7412), SCARB1 (rs5888) and PPARα (rs1800206) genes were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum lipids were determined using enzymatic methods.Results/Principal findingsMen and women with the APOE2 genotype had the lowest level of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Men with the APOE2 genotype had significantly higher levels of triglycerides (TG) than those with the APOE3 genotype. In men, the carriers of the APOE4 genotype had higher odds ratios (OR) of reduced (<1.0 mmol/L) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels versus APOE3 carriers (OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.05-3.74). The odds of having elevated (>1.7 mmol/L) TG levels was significantly lower in SCARB1 genotype CT carriers compared to men with the SCARB1 genotype CC (OR=0.50; 95% CI=0.31-0.79). In men, carriers of the PPARα genotype CG had higher OR of elevated TG levels versus carriers of PPARα genotype CC (OR=2.67; 95% CI=1.15-6.16). The odds of having high LDL-C levels were lower in women with the APOE2 genotype as compared to APOE3 genotype carriers (OR=0.35; 95% CI=0.22-0.57).Conclusions/SignificanceOur data suggest a gender difference in the associations between APOE, SCARB1, PPARα genotypes and lipid levels. In men, the APOE4 genotype and PPARα genotype CG were correlated with an atherogenic lipid profile while the SCARB1 genotype CT had an atheroprotective effect. In women, APOE2 carriers had the lowest odds of high LDL-C.
Highlights
Dyslipidemia is one of several known risk factors for coronary heart disease, a leading cause of death in Lithuania
An association between lipid levels and gender was observed: men had lower levels of HDLC and higher levels of TG compared to women
The prevalence of dyslipidemias was higher in men, except for a reduction in HDL, which was similar in both men and women
Summary
Dyslipidemia is one of several known risk factors for coronary heart disease, a leading cause of death in Lithuania. Epidemiological studies demonstrated the impact of nutrition on lipid levels within the Lithuanian population the role of genetic factors for dyslipidemias has not yet been studied. In 2010, the agestandardized mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) for Lithuanian men aged 25–64 years was 198.2 per 100 000 population and for women 44.0 per 100 000 population, while the average rate in the European Union was 102.0 per 100 000 population for men and 24.8 per 100 000 population for women of comparable age [1]. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated some positive changes in the diet of the Lithuanian population over the last decades. Positive changes in diet have contributed to a decline in serum cholesterol levels; the mortality rate from CHD has remained high
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