Objective: To investigate the relationship between carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and apolipoprotein (Apo) E gene polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five DM2 patients without angiopathy and 107 healthy individuals were selected. PCR/allele-specific oligonucleotide probe was used to determine their apoE genotypes.
Results: The prevalence distribution of apoE genotypes and alleles in DM2 patients and that in controls were similar. The TC, LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations in e4/4, e4/3 subgroups were significantly higher than those in e3/2, e2/2 subgroups (P<0.05). The average value of IMT in e4/4 e4/3 carriers (0.89 mm) was significantly greater than that in e3/2 e2/2 carriers (0.62 mm) (P<0.05). After adjustment for TC, LDL-C, TG, Lp(a), FBG, HbA1c, age, BMI, and smoking, ANCOVA showed that the average value of carotid IMT was significantly greater in subjects with e4/4 e4/3, compared with that in subjects with e3/2 e2/2(P=0.033).
Conclusion: Apo e4 allele increases the risk for carotid artery atherosclerosis in the early stage of diabetic population.