Effects of apolipoprotein E genotype on dietary-induced changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese postmenopausal women

Metabolism. 2002 Jul;51(7):853-8. doi: 10.1053/meta.2002.33337.

Abstract

Lipid responses to a dietary intervention are highly variable between individuals. Part of this variation may be accounted for by individual differences in lipid-regulating genes that interact with diet to induce changes in lipoprotein metabolism. This study determined whether apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype affects lipid responses to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet in obese, postmenopausal women. Body weight and lipoprotein lipid responses to a 10-week, dietary intervention (American Heart Association [AHA] Step I) were compared in 61 women with the APOE 2/3 and APOE 3/3 genotype (APOE4-) and 18 women with the APOE 3/4 genotype (APOE4+) of a similar age, body composition, and maximal aerobic capacity. Body weight decreased by 2% in both groups, but changes in body weight correlated only with changes in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (r =.27, P <.05). The dietary intervention decreased total cholesterol and LDL-C to a similar degree in both genotype groups. However, APOE4- women decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) by 17% +/- 11% and increased triglycerides by 20% +/- 41% in response to the diet, while APOE4+ women had a smaller decrease in HDL-C (-8% +/- 12%) and no change in plasma triglyceride. These group differences were significant for HDL-C (P <.01) and approached significance for triglycerides (P =.08). Moreover, APOE4- women decreased HDL(2)-C by 32% +/- 45%, while APOE4+ women increased HDL(2)-C by 12% +/- 62% (P <.01 between groups). It may be prudent to genotype older women before initiating low-fat diet therapy, as those with the APOE4 allele benefit the most, while the lipid profile could worsen in women without the APOE4 allele.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Body Composition
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Fats
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / diet therapy
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Postmenopause / blood
  • Postmenopause / genetics*
  • Regression Analysis
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Dietary Fats
  • Cholesterol