APOLIPOPROTEIN-E PHENOTYPE MODIFIES METABOLIC AND HEMODYNAMIC ABNORMALITIES RELATED TO CENTRAL OBESITY IN WOMEN

Apolipoprotein E (ape E) is a normal constituent of very-low-density l ipoproteins and it participates in the metabolism of both low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and apo E-containing Lipoproteins. In the present s tudy, the aim was to examine to what extent apo E phenotypes modify ce ntral obesity-induced changes in serum lipids, insulin, and blood pres sure in obese women. Altogether, 143 middle-aged obese women with a bo dy mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 28.0-43.0 were examined. Twelve had apo E 3,2 phenotype, 93 had apo E 3,3 phenotype, and 38 had either apo E 4 ,3 or 4,4 (4,3 + 4,4 group) phenotype. Serum total and LDL cholesterol were lower in the apo E 3,2 group than in other groups, but no signif icant differences were observed in other lipid variables in this regar d. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measures tended to be lo west in subjects with apo E 3,2 phenotype and highest in those with ap o E 4,3 or 4,4 phenotype (P = 0.08-0.15 for trend). When serum lipids, blood pressure, and insulin were analyzed by waist circumference and apo E phenotype group, it became evident that women who had central ob esity and the apo E 4 allele had the highest blood pressures, insulin- glucose ratios, and insulin concentrations. These results suggest that apo E phenotype significantly modifies the central obesity-induced ch anges in metabolic and hemodynamic variables characteristic of insulin resistance.