[Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and plasma lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein levels in 291 children of Changsha].

In order to investigate the distribution of apolipoprotein (Apo) E polymorphism and effect of ApoE genotypes on plasma lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein levels in children of Changsha, we determined ApoE genotypes in 291 children by means of PCR-RFLP. ApoE allele frequencies in the population were epsilon 2 = 0.081, epsilon 3 = 0.857, epsilon 4 = 0.062. There were no difference in the ApoE genotypes distribution between sexes. The children with Apo epsilon 2 allele had higher levels of ApoE, ApoA1 and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol together with lower levels of total cholesterol, ApoB100 and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol than those with other ApoE alleles. These changes were opposite in children with Apo epsilon 4 allele. The levels of plasma triglyceride, lipoprotein(a) were not affected significantly by ApoE alleles. Moreover, the effect of ApoE genotypes on levels of plasma lipids was different between sexes. These results suggest that ApoE polymorphisms could affect plasma lipids metabolism in children.