Hepatic lipase (LIPC) promoter polymorphism in men with coronary artery disease - Allele frequency and effects on hepatic lipase activity and plasma HDL-C concentrations

Hepatic lipase is an important determinant of plasma HDL concentration and LDL subclass distribution and may therefore influence susceptibility to cor onary artery disease (CAD). To assess the effect of genetic variation in he patic lipase activity on CAD susceptibility, we determined the frequency of the -514T allele of hepatic lipase in white men with CAD and in controls w ho did not have CAD. In men with CAD, postheparin plasma hepatic lipase act ivity was 15% to 20% lower in heterozygotes and 30% lower in homozygotes fb r the -514T allele. Allele frequencies were similar in cases and controls, however, and were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg expectation in both groups . This finding was confirmed in a second group comprising cases with premat ure symptomatic CAD and controls who were free of disease. These data indic ate that a primary decrease in hepatic lipase activity of as much as 30% do es not influence susceptibility to CAD in white men.