The combination of ApoCIII, hepatic lipase and hormono sensitive lipase gene polymorphisms suggests an association with susceptibility to gestational hypertension

Abstract

Dyslipidemia and insulin resistance contribute to the endothelial cell dysfunction in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The genes linking susceptibility to gestational hypertension (GH) and/or preeclampsia (PE) to the long-term risk of CVD are still unknown. We evaluated the potential association between 14 polymorphisms from six genes involved in lipid metabolism and insulin action and the risk of HDP: namely the lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (LIPC), hormone sensitive lipase (LIPE), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), ApoCIII and ApoE gene polymorphisms. Overall, 169 women with HDP [proteinuria (PE) and gestational hypertension without proteinuria (GH)] and 169 controls matched for age and year of delivery were genotyped. Homozygosity of the -514T allele of the -514C > T polymorphism (LIPC gene) decreased the risk of GH (OR = 0.17, CI(95): 0.02-0.76), while there were more -60G carriers of the -60C > G LIPE gene polymorphism (OR = 3.51, CI(95):1.02-12.10) among GH cases, but not in PE cases. The common ApoCIII two-locus -482CC/3238CC genotype was lower in women with GH compared with controls (OR = 0.53, CI(95): 0.3-0.9). The combined frequency of at-risk genotypes was higher in cases of GH compared with controls [one at-risk genotype: OR = 3.38 (95% CI: 0.48-41.8); two or more at-risk genotypes: OR = 7.14 (95% CI: 1.21-92.3, P = 0.01)], suggesting a gene-dose effect. We conclude that the combined effect of LIPC, LIPE and ApoCIII gene polymorphisms may increase the likelihood of GH, but seemingly not of PE.