Cord blood apolipoprotein-E genotype distribution and plasma lipid indicesin newborns of different ethnicity

We hypothesized that apolipoprotein-E (apo-E) genotypes would be associated with plasma lipid indices in newborns of South Asian (SA) ancestry but not in newborns of African (Afr) ancestry. Cord blood was obtained by consecut ive sampling at maternity hospitals in the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad an d Curacao. Apolipoprotein-E genotypes, cholesterol, triglycerides, apo-A, a po-B and Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were measured in 294 newborns in Trinidad and 234 in Curacao. The apo-B/apo-AI ratio and an adapted lipid tetrad inde x (i.e. cholesterol x triglycerides x Lp(a)/apo-AI) were calculated. In Tri nidad, apo-E allele frequencies and genotype distributions of Afr and SA we re significantly (p < 0.001) different (Afr: n = 71: apo-e2 :e3 :e4 = 10.4: 66.4: 23.2%; SA: n = 98; e2 :e3 :e4 = 3.5:83.1 : 13.4%). The Mixed group ( SA + Afr) had apo-E allele frequencies in between those of SA and Afr group s (n = 115; e2 : e3 : e4 = 7 : 76 : 17%). Lipid indices of appropriate for gestational age and term newborns were comparable, except For lower Lp(a) ( SA = 29 +/- 4; Afr = 46 +/- 5; Mixed = 41 +/- 5 mfi L-1) and lower adapted lipid tetrad index (29.4 +/- 4.8; 41.9 +/- 5.4; 41.4 +/- 7.0) in SA. Apo-E allele frequencies of Curacao newborns were: apo-e2:e3:e4 = 10.5:72.6: 16.9 %. Their Lp(a) levels were significantly]) (68 +/-3 mg L-1) than that of th e Trinidadian sample (38 +/- 3; p < 0.0001). Apolipoprotein-E4 had an apo-B -increasing effect and apo-E2 an apo-B-decreasing effect in Afr (r = 0.192, p = 0.003). Among African from Trinidad and Curacao variation sin apo-E4 a nd apo-E2 are associated with an apo-B-increasing effect and an apo-B-decre asing effect, respectively. There was no relationship between apo-E polymor phism and lipids among South Asians.