Age-related effects of genetic variation on lipid levels: The Columbia University BioMarkers Study

Objectives. To examine the genotype: phenotype association in children comp ared with their parents. Methods. Variations at 4 key gene loci, namely lipoprotein lipase (LPL S447 X), hepatic lipase (HL -480C> T), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP TaqIB), and apolipoprotein CIII (APOC3 -455T> C and -482C> T), were examine d in children (n = 495) and their parents (n = 353) in the Columbia Univers ity BioMarkers Study, 1994 to 1998. Results. The frequencies of the rare alleles of the HL -480C> T and APOC3 - 455T> C and -482C> T (but not LPL S447X or CETP TaqIB) were significantly l ower in non-Hispanic white participants compared with Hispanics. Overall, g enotype effects seen in the adults were weaker in the children, although si milar trends were seen. In an examination of the effect of body fat on the genotypic effects in the children, there was significant HL -480C> T: sum o f skinfold interaction. Conclusions. All genotypes were associated with clear relationships to plas ma lipid levels in adults, but the effects were weaker in their children, u nless stressed by body fat.