Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the Tunisian population: frequency and effect on lipid parameters.

Abstract Objectives: We determined the frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene alleles and examined the association between apo E polymorphism and lipid parameters in a sample of the Tunisian population. Design and methods: Apo E polymorphism was investigated using PCR, and plasma lipid parameters were measured in 122 men and 111 women aged 35 to 87 years. Results: The allele frequencies were e2: 7.3%, e3: 84.6%, and e4: 8.1%. Apo E polymorphism was associated with significant differences ( P  30 kg/m 2 ), TG concentrations were significantly lower in individuals homozygous for the e3 allele compared to those with the alleles e2 or e4. Conclusion: In this sample of the Tunisian population, the distribution of apo E gene alleles is similar to that observed in Southern European populations with low prevalence of the e4 allele. Variations in the apo E gene play a role in determining plasma lipid levels. These data also suggest that effects of apo E alleles on lipids levels are partly dependent on environmental variables such as BMI. These findings highlight the importance of the gene/environment interaction on the deleterious effect of obesity on cardiovascular risk factors.