Association of polymorphism of apolipoprotein E gene with coronary heart disease in Han Chinese

Objective To investigate the association between apolipoprotein E (apoE) ge ne polymorphism and coronary heart disease(CHD) in Han Chinese. Methods Apo E genotype was examined with the methods of hot start polymeras e chain reaction (PCR) and restriction isotyping in samples of 113 unrelate d Chinese healthy individuals and 93 patients with CHD. The relation of the gene polymorphism of apoE and levels of serum lipids, lipoproteins, and ap olipoproteins was also studied. Results The results showed that the epsilon 4/3 genotype was more frequent in CHD cases than in control subjects (31.2% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.01). The freq uency of the epsilon 4 allele in CHD cases was in genetics significantly hi gher than in control subjects (17.2% vs populations. 7.5%, P < 0.01). The e psilon 4 allele was associated with high concentrations of serum TC (r = 0. 265, P < 0.05), LDL-C (r=0.266, P < 0.05), and apoB (r = 0.360, P < 0.01). Conclusions Hot start PCR assay is considered a rapid and simple technique for apoE genotyping. This method is suitable for routine laboratories and l arge scale population studies. Genetic polymorphism of the apoE gene might contribute to the determination of serum lipid profile and the development of CHD among Han Chinese.