The effect of a gender difference in the apolipoprotein E gene DNA polymorphism on serum lipid levels in a Serbian healthy population

To date, no data have been available on relationship between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipid levels in Serbian populations. Blood samples were obtained from 591 healthy normal individuals (193 women and 398 men). A 24 4 bp sequence of the apolipoprotein E gene including the two polymorphic si tes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After digestion with Hhal, DNA fragments were visualized by microplate array diagonal gel electrophore sis. In men, levels of both total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol a mong the three apolipoprotein E genotype groups differed significantly (p < 0.05). The epsilon 2 allele was associated with lower concentrations of bo th total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, where the epsilon 4 allel e had the opposite effects. No significant effects of apolipoprotein E poly morphism on serum lipid levels were observed in women. The presented data c ould be taken into consideration in any future disease risk evaluation in t his population.