EFFECT OF APOLIPOPROTEIN-E PHENOTYPE ON PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN ALCOHOL ABUSERS

The effect of apolipoprotein (apo) 5 phenotype on the concentration an d chemical composition of plasma lipoproteins was studied in 73 male a lcohol abusers and 50 male controls. The apa 5 phenotype was confirmed by genotyping to avoid possible effects of posttranslational modifica tions by alcohol or its metabolites, The lipid and protein concentrati ons of both intermediate density lipoprotein and low density lipoprote in were lower among the alcohol abusers than among the controls, those with E4 having the highest low density lipoprotein masses in both gro ups. In the alcohol abusers with E4 only the high density lipoprotein (HDL)-2 lipid and protein concentrations were higher than in the contr ols with respective phenotype group, whereas both HDL2 and HDL3 were h igher in alcohol abusers with other apa E phenotypes, suggesting that apo E modulates the alcohol-effect an HDL subfractions. This effect wa s not explained by cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity, which was lower in the alcohol abusers (25 to 34%, p < 0.01), but without si gnificant difference between the apo E groups. In conclusion, alcohol abuse does nor cause major changes in the electric charge of apo E in humans. Heavy alcohol intake seems to have a beneficial effect on plas ma lipids and lipoproteins, regardless of the apo E phenotype, but the modulation of the alcohol-induced increase in HDC by apo 5 phenotype should he taken into consideration in future studies.