A DIETARY AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION DESIGNED TO LOWER CORONARY HEART-DISEASE - RISK-FACTORS ARE UNAFFECTED BY VARIATION AT THE APOE GENE LOCUS

Variation at the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene locus has demonstrated a consistent impact on lipoprotein levels. APOE typing was performed fo r 488 healthy, caucasian, premenopausal women participating in the Wom en's Healthy Lifestyle Project (WHLP) aimed at reducing total fat, sat urated fat and cholesterol intake and promoting physical activity. Wom en in both the intervention and control groups were included in the tr ial. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the mag nitude of the changes in total cholesterol (Tc), low density lipoprote in cholesterol (LDLc) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) due to the dietary intervention were dependent on the variation in APO E. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and lipoprotein levels were measured at baseline and at a 6 month follow-up. ANOVA was used to determine w hether the change in Tc and LDLc was dependent on dietary intervention and variation at APOE levels. The levels of Tc and LDLc were higher i n women with the APOE4 genotype. There were no statistically signific ant effects of APOE genotype and changes in Tc and LDLc (P > 0.1). Adj usted Te and LDLc changes were comparable in the 3 APOE subgroups (Tc = -14.3, -12.9 and -11.7 mg/dl; LDLc = -12.1, -10.7 and -10.7 mg/dl, r espectively as above). In conclusion, the genetic (APOE) background of premenopausal women in this study did not have a significant effect o n their response to dietary intervention. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd.