Background: Lipoprotein lipase has an important role in lipid metabolism. Elevated levels of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are potentially atherogenic. The HindIII and S447X polymorphisms of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene are associated with cardiovascular disease in some populations.
Methods: LPL HindIII and S447X polymorphisms were analyzed in 343 individuals of 66-97 years of age from a cohort of a Brazilian elderly longitudinal study. Allele frequencies, genotype distribution and allele association with major morbidities and with serum lipid, urea, creatinine and albumin levels were also investigated. The whole sample was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis and t-test were used.
Results: Allele frequencies were H(+)=0.652 and H(-)=0.348 for LPL HindIII and S=0.824 and X=0.176 for LPL S447X polymorphism. Both polymorphisms have frequencies similar to those in some European populations. LPL HindIII polymorphism showed significant association of the H(+) allele with myocardial infarction. The H(-) allele showed a tendency to associate with higher HDL levels. The LPL S447X S allele was associated with higher triglyceride levels.
Conclusions: These findings may help to identify risk factors for subjects and families and clarify the physiopathological role of these polymorphisms in age-related diseases.