Influence of mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism on serum cholesterol changes: a short-term follow-up in middle-aged Japanese men

Rie Honmyo,Hideki Ohno,Masao Yoshida,Akatsuki Kokaze,Kanae Karita,Mamoru Ishikawa

doi:10.1007/s12199-012-0268-8

Abstract

The mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population, and the Mt5178A genotype may exert anti-atherogenic effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were longitudinal differences in serum lipid levels between carriers of the Mt5178C genotype and those of the Mt5178A genotype and to assess the impact of these genotypes on serum cholesterol levels. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were measured and the Mt5178 C/A genotypes determined in 110 Japanese men aged 41-66 (mean 52.3) years who had received medical checkups twice in the period 1999-2005. The longitudinal changes of TC, HDLC, and LDLC were calculated according to genotype. The serum levels of TC at baseline and follow-up were significantly different, whereas those of HDLC and LDLC were not. The changes in HDLC differed significantly between the two Mt5178 C/A genotype groups, with the changes in HDLC level being significantly greater in the Mt5178A genotype group than in the Mt5178C group (p = 0.015). The Mt5178 C/A genotype may modify longitudinal changes in serum TC and HDLC levels in middle-aged Japanese men.

Highlights

The mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism results in an amino acid polymorphism in NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) and is known as a longevity-associated polymorphism
The decrease in total cholesterol (TC) levels in the Mt5178A group was significant after age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and drinking habits had been accounted for, no significant difference was observed in the change between the Mt5178C and Mt5178A groups
The general assumption is that in both men and women, in the absence of intervention, the serum highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) level will remain relatively stable throughout adult life [18,19,20] or to show a tendency to decrease as a person ages [18, 21,22,23]

Summary

Introduction

The mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism results in an amino acid polymorphism in NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) and is known as a longevity-associated polymorphism. Tanaka et al [1, 2] suggested that the Mt5178 A genotype of the Mt5178 C/A polymorphism is associated with longevity in Japanese people. They reported that the frequency of Mt5178A is significantly higher in centenarians than in the general population. The Mt5178A genotype is generally rare worldwide [3, 4], but it’s frequency has been reported to be as high as 40–45% in the Japanese populace [1, 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. The Environ Health Prev Med (2012) 17:401–407 concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was significantly higher in males carrying the Mt5178A genotype than in males carrying the Mt5178C genotype; in the same study, triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly lower in females carrying the Mt5178A genotype than in those carrying the Mt5178C genotype [14]

Methods

Results

Conclusion