EFFECT OF POLYMORPHISM OF APOLIPOPROTEIN-E AND ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTINGENZYME GENES ON ARTERIAL-WALL THICKNESS

We examined the association between the polymorphism of the apolipopro tein E (apoE) and the ACE genes and the intima-media thickness (IMT) o f the carotid and femoral arteries measured using ultrasonography. The values of IMT of each artery were significantly higher in NIDDM patie nts (n = 356) than in control subjects (n = 235). The E4 allele or the D allele did not affect clinical characteristics, including age, fast ing plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholestero l, or blood pressure, in NIDDM or control subjects. No difference in t he carotid WIT value was noted among the apoE genotypes in control or diabetic subjects. The carotid IMT was significantly higher in diabeti c patients with the DD genotype (1.200 +/- 0.586 mm) than in those wit h the II genotypes (0.990 +/- 0.364 mm). Neither the E4 allele nor the D allele affected the femoral IMT in control or diabetic subjects. Mu ltiple regression analysis demonstrated that the carotid IMT of NIDDM patients was associated with age, the D allele, and LDL cholesterol bu t not with the E4 allele, whereas that of control subjects was associa ted with age, sex, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and HDL c holesterol, inversely. These results suggested that the E4 allele was not associated with the carotid or femoral IMTs, but that the D allele was statistically associated with carotid IMT in NIDDM patients but n ot control subjects. However, since the association was weak (2.3% exp lanatory power), its biological significance remains to be determined.