UNDEREXPRESSION OF THE APOLIPOPROTEIN E4 ISOFORM IN AN ITALIAN POPULATION

Apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism was examined in a population of It alian blood donors. A significantly reduced frequency of the epsilon4 allele was observed in comparison to a combined Caucasian population. Apo E polymorphism was also associated with significant differences in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels. Notably, total and low-density l ipoprotein cholesterol as well as triglycerides were increased, wherea s high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased in carriers of th e E4 isoform. This is the first report of a significantly lower freque ncy of the apo E4 isoform in a European population. The reduced occurr ence of an apo E isoform, which is associated with a more atherogenic lipid/lipoprotein profile, may be a contributory factor to the relativ ely lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in the Italian populatio n.