Background
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and conveys a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The
Conclusions
The present results suggest that APOE polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of CAD in postmenopausal Hakka women in southern China.
Methods
The APOE genotypes of 653 CAD patients and 646 control participants were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization to a Sinochip.
Results
The prevalence of each APOE genotype differed between CAD patients and control participants (P = 0.011). The E3/E3 genotype was the most common and the E2/E2 genotype was the least common in the study sample. Moreover, the presence of ε4 allele was associated with higher serum concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and lower concentration of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that participants with ε4 allele have a significantly higher risk of CAD after adjustment for the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and their serum uric acid, TC, and LDL-C concentrations (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.05, P = 0.010). Conclusions: The present results suggest that APOE polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of CAD in postmenopausal Hakka women in southern China.