BODY-MASS INDEX AND HEPATIC LIPASE GENE (LIPC) POLYMORPHISM JOINTLY INFLUENCE POSTHEPARIN PLASMA HEPATIC LIPASE ACTIVITY

The -514 polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) is associated with decreased hepatic lipase activity, In the present study, the inte raction between body mass index (BMI), the -514 polymorphism, and hepa tic lipase activity was examined in 118 white men and in 51 African Am erican men. BMI was significantly positively correlated with hepatic l ipase activity in both populations. BMI was similar in men with geneti c differences in hepatic lipase activity indicating that high hepatic Lipase activity did not cause increased BMI, The data therefore sugges t that high BMI leads to increased hepatic lipase activity, The action s of BMI and the -514 polymorphism on hepatic lipase activity appear t o be additive and independent, rather than synergistic.ir This finding indicates that hepatic lipase activity is a multi-factorial trait, de termined in part by polymorphism within the LIPC gene as well as by fa ctors that influence BMI.