Objective: To explore apolipoprotein(apo) E polymorphism and its relationship with plasma apoE genotypes lipids and apolipoproteins in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (2DM).
Methods: were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) ,serum lipids were determined by enzyme method and apolipoproteins were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay in 74 patients with 2DM and 191 healthy subjects without diabetes family history from a population of Chinese Han nationality in Chengdu area.
Results: Compared with the control group, the serum TG, TC, LDLC, nHDLC, apoB100, apoCII , apoCIII and apoE levels and TG/HDLC ratio in patients with 2DM were significantly increased (P < 0.001) and the serum HDLC level and apoE/apoC II ratio were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in apoE polymorphism between 2DM group and the control group (P > 0.05). In 2DM group, the genotype apoE2 was found to have lower TG/HDLC ratio, compared with the genotypes apoE3 and apoE4; the genotype apoE4 was found to have higher serum apoA I level, compared with the genotypes E3 and E2 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The apoE gene polymorphism is associated with serum TG/HDLC ratio and apoA I level to some extent in type 2 diabetes mellitus.