Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipoprotein compositions in normolipidaemic xanthelasma patients.

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) phenotypes and lipoprotein compositions in xanthelasma patients have been reported in different series.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the apoE polymorphism and lipoprotein compositions in xanthelasma patients by using rapid polymerase chain reaction, and searched for an association between apoE polymorphism and the lipoprotein levels in xanthelasma patients.

DESIGN

ApoE polymorphism and the different types of serum lipoproteins were studied in 25 patients with xanthelasma and compared with 27 normal subjects.

RESULTS

All of patients were found to be normolipidaemic. The patients had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and lower concentrations of apolipoprotein A. There was no difference in serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. The distribution of apoE genotypes and alleles was the same in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The apoB, apoA and cholesterol levels did show statistically significant differences in the direction of an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Patients with xanthelasma demonstrated slight differentiations in the apoE polymorphism and metabolism of lipoproteins that require further clarifications.