EFFECTS OF APO-B AND APO-E GENE POLYMORPHISMS ON LIPID AND APOLIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS AFTER A TEST MEAL

The role of apo B signal peptide and apo E polymorphisms, and individu al factors (age, sex, etc.) have been investigated on the interindivid ual variability of the postprandial response of 274 subjects ingesting a 1.260-KJ milkshake. The mean postprandial response, observed during 4 h, is significantly positive for total cholesterol (P < 0.005), LDL -cholesterol (P < 0.0001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), apo E (P < 0.000 1) and glucose (P < 0.0001), whereas HDL-cholesterol, apo A-I and apo B do not present mean postprandial variation. Independently of the mea n response, some parameters present a large interindividual variabilit y of response, which is significantly influenced by cofactors, such as weight or BMI, for total and LDL-cholesterol, apo B and apo E or toba cco use for HDL-cholesterol. Sex has no effect on any lipid levels. To tal, LDL-cholesterol and apo E responses are correlated with their cor responding fasting values. ApoB signal peptide polymorphism is not inv olved in the postprandial responses, whereas apo E polymorphism explai ns a significant part of the variability of HDL-cholesterol and apo A- I responses.