Epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene associates with lower blood pressure in young Japanese subjects: the Suita Study

J Hypertens. 2002 Oct;20(10):2017-21. doi: 10.1097/00004872-200210000-00021.

Abstract

Objectives: The apolipoprotein epsilon 4 allele (APOE/epsilon 4) increases plasma cholesterol level and the risk for the late onset type of Alzheimer's disease. However, the correlation between hypertension and APOE/epsilon 4 has not yet been clarified. To examine the APOE/epsilon 4 effect in the general population of Japan, we performed a large genetic epidemiological survey (the Suita Study).

Design and methods: The Suita Study was a cohort study based on a random sample of 14,200 Japanese residents of Suita city. Subjects who gave informed consent for genetic analysis were recruited in the current study ( = 3997). APOE polymorphism was clearly determined by the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method.

Results: Subjects with APOE/epsilon 4 were significantly ( P < 0.03) more frequent (19.7%) in normotensives than in hypertensives (16.9%), the estimated odds ratio for hypertension (with APOE/epsilon 4 versus without APOE/epsilon 4) being 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.98]. The significance of the association (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48-0.86) was increased in young subjects ( < or = 60 years old) but disappeared in old subjects. APOE/epsilon 4 also significantly contributed to a 2.9% increase of total cholesterol, 11.8% increase of triglyceride and 3.2% of decrease of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

Conclusions: We concluded that APOE/epsilon 4 was associated with an increase of plasma lipid levels and with a decrease of systolic blood pressure. The final conclusion on whether APOE/epsilon 4 contributes to the risk for cardiovascular disease will be clarified by analysis of the cumulative incidence, which will be obtained in the future Suita Study.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles*
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Blood Pressure / genetics*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Heart Rate / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Hypertension / genetics
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Contraction / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Triglycerides / genetics
  • Urban Health
  • Viral Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Triglycerides
  • Viral Proteins
  • epsilon protein, Bacteriophage P4