HIGH-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL IS RELATED TO THE TAQIB CHOLESTERYL ESTER TRANSFER PROTEIN GENE POLYMORPHISM AND SMOKING, BUT NOT TO MODERATE ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC MEN

In non-diabetic subjects, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholester ol level is increased by alcohol and decreased by smoking. The biallel ic B1B2 polymorphism of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene is a genetic determinant of HDL cholesterol. We evaluated the eff ect of moderate alcohol consumption, the CETP gene polymorphism and cl inical variables on HDL cholesterol and other lipoprotein parameters i n insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) men. Thirteen moderate alcohol usi ng IDDM men (median alcohol consumption 17 g/d) and 13 abstainers, ind ividually matched for the CETP gene polymorphism and clinical factors including smoking, were studied. HDL cholesterol, serum apo AI and ser um CETP activity levels were very similar in alcohol users compared to abstainers (1.36+/-0.28 vs 1.36+/-0.36 mmol l(-1), 1.7+/-0.31 vs 1.75 +/-0.33 g l(-1) and 134+/-27 vs 138+/-53 nmol l(-1) h(-1), respectivel y, n.s. for all). No significant differences in apo B-containing lipop roteins were observed, Multiple regression analysis (multiple r=0.68) showed that HDL cholesterol was positively associated with the presenc e of the B2 allele (0.23 mmol l(-1) higher for each B2 allele present, p=0.004) and negatively with smoking (0.15 mmol l(-1) lower per 10 ci garettes smoked daily, p=0.011), but not with alcohol consumption (p=0 .66). This study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption has no ben eficial effect on the lipoprotein profile in IDDM men. HDL cholesterol is adversely influenced by smoking, whereas considerable variation in its level appears to be explained by the CETP gene polymorphism.