Effect of variation in the apo A-IV gene on body mass index and fasting and postprandial lipids in the European Atherosclerosis Research Study II

The aims of the study were to investigate associations of the apolipoprotei n (apo) A-IV polymorphisms Thr347Ser and Gln360His with anthropomorphic mea surements and fasting and postprandial lipids in subjects participating in the European Atherosclerosis Research Study II (EARS II), The allelic frequ encies of Ser347 and His360 were 0.185 and 0.067, respectively, in the samp le as a whole. There were no significant differences in rare allele frequen cy between cases (offspring of fathers who suffered a myocardial infarction before the age of 55 years) and controls. Control subjects who were carrie rs of Ser347 had significantly higher body mass indices (BMIs), waist:hip r atios, total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol (T G) concentrations (all P less than or equal to 0.02) than control subjects who were non-carriers, but these effects were not seen in the cases. Contro l subjects who were carriers of His360 had lower BMIs (P = 0.04), cholester ol and TG concentrations (both P less than or equal to 0.07) compared to no n-carriers, but these effects were not seen in the cases. After consumption of an oral fat load, carriers of His360 who were most obese (subjects in t he third tertile of BMI) had significantly reduced postprandial lipemia (P < 0.03, as assessed by area under the curve).