CETP TaqIB polymorphisms and CETP activity in normolipidemic healthy northern Indians

Abstract

Summary Background and aim Asian Indians have relatively lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as compared to the other populations. Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) is involved in the transfer of cholesterol esters from HDL-C to other lipoproteins in the plasma. In order to assess the role of CETP polymorphisms and their association with HDL-C, if any, we have studied the TaqIB polymorphism in intron 1 of CETP and its correlation with plasma lipids in 158 normolipidemic healthy subjects. Methods and results Plasma lipids levels were estimated using commercially available kits from Randox (India) and CETP TaqIB polymorphism were assayed by PCR-RFLP in 158 healthy normolipidemic individuals. The observed allelic frequencies of TaqIB polymorphisms, B1 and B2 were 43.0% and 56.9%, respectively. Lipid parameters were comparable between individuals with the different CETP TaqIB polymorphisms. The individuals categorized on the basis of their HDL-C levels ( 1.04 mmol/l), had comparable distribution of CETP genotypes. CETP activity was assessed in 84 of the total 158 individuals included in the study and did not vary among the CETP TaqIB genotypes. CETP activity in the females ( n = 39) negatively correlated with HDL-C levels. Conclusion This study reveals that CETP TaqIB polymorphisms are not associated with the decreased levels of HDL-C in healthy normolipidemic individuals. We are presently involved in studies to assess the precise role of CETP TaqIB polymorphism and CETP activity in hyperlipidemia in Asian Indians.