FAMILY STUDY OF LIPOPROTEIN-LIPASE GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND PLASMA TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS

To better characterize the role of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene i n the determination of triglyceride levels in healthy subjects, a stud y was performed in 193 nuclear families (384 parents, means age = 42.0 +/- 5.2 years; 399 offspring, mean age = 14.6 +/- 4.3 years) voluntee ring to have a free health checkup examination. The pattern of familia l resemblance was compatible with a zero correlation between spouses, a weak father-offspring correlation (0.099 +/- 0.054; P < 0.07), and s ignificant mother-offspring (0.235 +/- 0.053; P < 10(-4)) and sib-sib (0.294 +/- 0.064; P < 10(-4)) correlations. Associations of triglyceri de levels with the LPL HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms were investigat ed by a familial measured genotype analysis, specifying sex- and age-d ependent polymorphism effects. The effects associated with both polymo rphisms were significant only in fathers, the H+ and P+ alleles being associated with raised triglyceride levels. The HindIII and PvuII poly morphisms explained 3.5% and 3%, respectively, of the variability of triglycerides in fathers. The relationship was weakened after prior ad justment on body mass index, but remained significant for PvuII. Becau se of the lack of effect in mothers and offspring, the polymorphisms d id not contribute to the covariance of triglyceride levels in relative s. In conclusion, this family study showed a weak relationship of the HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms to plasma triglyceride levels in young healthy male subjects. The effects detectable only in fathers suggest a possible modulation of the LPL expression by hormonal or lifestyle factors. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.