The Association between Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Mild Cognitive Impairment among Different Ethnic Minority Groups in China.

Wanrui Ma,Lan Liu,Zhizhong Wang,Ye Rong

doi:10.1155/2014/150628

Abstract

The association, in different ethnic groups, of apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been unclear. Few studies have examined the association in Chinese minorities. The current study explores the association between apoE gene polymorphism and MCI in one of the biggest ethnic groups—the Hui—and compares it with the Han. The Minimental State Exam, Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale were administered to 306 ethnic Hui and 618 ethnic Han people aged ≥55 years. ApoE genotypes were determined using the high resolution melting curve method. The distribution of the apoE genotype and the frequency of alleles ε2, ε3, and ε4 were similar in the Hui and Han groups. In analyses adjusted for age, gender, and education level, the ε4 allele was a risk factor for MCI in both the Hui group (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.02–6.66) and the Han group (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.19–4.67), but the apoE ε2 allele was protective for MCI only in the Han group (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.38–0.88). The association of some apoE genotypes with MCI may differ in different ethnic groups in China. Further studies are needed to explore this effect among different populations.

Highlights

Apolipoprotein E is a plasma protein involved in regulating the body’s metabolism of lipoproteins and cholesterol balance
The Apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 allele has been widely studied as a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but its impact has been found to differ across ethnic groups [3,4,5,6,7]
The present study found that there was no significant difference in apoE genotype and ε4 allele frequency between older Hui and Han ethnic groups

Summary

Introduction

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a plasma protein involved in regulating the body’s metabolism of lipoproteins and cholesterol balance. It has an important role in the neurobiological system [1]. Seet et al reviewing the frequency of the apoE alleles in different ethnic groups found that the relative frequency of ε4 was the lowest in the Chinese sample [8]. This raised a question as to whether the Chinese people did benefit from the reduced frequency of the apoE ε4 allele

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Methods

Conclusion