Meta-analysis of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and susceptibility of myocardial infarction

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 11;9(8):e104608. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104608. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

A number of case-control studies have been conducted to clarify the association between ApoE polymorphisms and myocardial infarction (MI); however, the results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was performed to clarify this issue using all the available evidence. Searching in PubMed retrieved all eligible articles. A total of 33 studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 18752 MI cases and 18963 controls. The pooled analysis based on all included studies showed that the MI patients had a decreased frequency of the ε2 allele (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.70-0.87) and an increased frequency of the ε4 allele (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10-1.20); The results also showed a decreased susceptibility of MI in the ε2ε3 vs. ε3ε3 analysis (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68-0.90) and in the ε2 vs. ε3 analysis (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69-0.89), an increased susceptibility of MI in the ε3ε4 vs. ε3ε3 analysis (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.12-1.41), in the ε4 vs. ε3 analysis (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.12-1.32) and in the ε4ε4 vs. ε3ε3 analysis (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.15-2.19). However, there were no significant associations among polymorphisms and MI for the following genetic models: frequency of the ε3 allele (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.96-1.02); ε2ε2 vs. ε3ε3 analysis (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.40-1.32); or ε2ε4 vs. ε3ε3 analysis (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.99-1.21). Our results suggested that the ε4 allele of ApoE is a risk factor for the development of MI and the ε2 allele of ApoE is a protective factor in the development of MI.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO.81200093) and the 2012 Shanghai College Special Research Funding for Outstanding Young Teachers (NO.82013011900002). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.