A Module Map Showing Interaction between Apolipoprotein E and Phospholipase A2 Polymorphism in Lipid Profiles

The effects of beta2 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in lipid profiles

Background

Explore the interaction between apolipoprotein E (Apo E), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) gene polymorphisms and lipid profiles in an elderly Chinese population.

Methods

Five hundred subjects aged 65 to 74 years were randomly selected from a community in southern Taiwan to assess the relationship between Apo E, PLA2 and β2-AR gene polymorphisms and lipid profiles. Two hundred sixty-seven participants agreed to have venous blood drawn for DNA studies.

Results

Two statistically significant differences were noted in TC and LDL-C in the Gln27Glu of the β2-AR gene polymorphism (P = 0.007, P = 0.022). The low-income group had a higher HDL-C level (p = 0.076). The Gln27Glu polymorphism Glu/Glu or Gln/Glu subjects had lower TC levels compared to the Gln27Glu polymorphism Gln/Gln subjects (p = 0.092). Lower TC levels (p = 0.082) and lower LDL-C levels (p = 0.045) in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Arg¹⁶Glu²⁷ haplotype. Lower TC levels (p = 0.06) were also noted in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Gly ¹⁶Glu²⁷ haplotype. On the other hand, higher VLDL-C levels (p = 0.185) and higher triglyceride (TG) levels (p = 0.190) were noted in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Gly ¹⁶Gln²⁷ haplotype. The ε2 allele combined with low income had a positive effect on HDL-C (p = 0.0011), after adding the income factor in this study.

Conclusion

When the effects of Apo E and PLA2 on lipid profiles were included in this study, β2-AR gene polymorphisms reduced significant effect on lipid profiles. Similarly, low income increased effect on HDL-C. This study appeared that the results of gene-gene and gene-environment interaction, it should be considered in further studies for lipid profiles.

A multilevel analysis of the influence of Apolipoprotein E genotypes on depressive symptoms in late-life moderated by the environment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the APOE alleles and depressive symptoms of older adults, considering individual characteristics and the effect of neighborhood environment.

METHODS

Using a multilevel, stratified sampling strategy, 500 elders were recruited from official household records. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]. Cognitive function was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire [SPMSQ]. Blood samples were collected for the determination of the Apolipoprotein E [APOE] polymorphism. Perceived neighborhood experience was brought together using the Neighborhood Quality Index [NQI].

RESULTS

Three hundred and three subjects (58.8% male, with a mean age of 69.2 [SD=2.7] years) completed all questionnaires and the collection of blood samples. Risk factors for depressive symptoms of elders included lower educational level, cognitive impairment, having 2 or more chronic diseases, and having the APOE epsilon4 allele. In the 2-level model with individual characteristics and neighborhood environmental factors, the effect of the APOE epsilon4 allele on depressive symptoms was significantly attenuated.

CONCLUSIONS

The APOE epsilon4 allele is correlated with depressive symptoms among older adults, but moderated by neighborhood environmental factors.

ApoE4 allele is associated with late-life depression: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the epsilon4 allele and late-life depression, taking into account lipid profile, vascular diseases, and sociodemographics.

METHODS

Using a multilevel stratified random sampling strategy, a total of 500 subjects aged 65 to 74 years were recruited for this cross-sectional study from the official household records of an entire county in southern Taiwan. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ). Cognitive function was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for the determination of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and the lipid profile.

RESULTS

A total of 283 subjects (58.7% male, with a mean age of 69.2 +/- 2.7 years) completed all questionnaires and collection of blood samples. Using the chi(2) test, the overall difference for frequency of the presence of the epsilon4 allele was significant among the severe group (TDQ score >18), moderate group (TDQ score 9-18), and mild group (TDQ score <9). The proportion of history of heart disease was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild or moderate group. Kruskal-Wallis statistics revealed that the mean total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the severe group than in the moderate or mild group. With our two-level four-class latent class regression model, the presence of the epsilon4 allele was significantly associated with the severely depressed group as compared to the nondepressed group, adjusting for vascular diseases and lipid profile.

CONCLUSION

The ApoE epsilon4 allele may be correlated with severe depression in the elderly through ways other than the "vascular depression" hypothesis.