Influence of ApoE and FABP2 polymorphisms and environmental factors in the susceptibility to gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND

Gallstone disease (GSD) is a common chronic disease in the Western hemisphere, yet environmental and genetic factors may be responsible for the variations in the prevalence of GSD among populations.

AIM

To analyze the relationship of the ApoE and FABP2 polymorphisms with diet, physical activity and emotional health in patients with GSD from West Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 120 patients with GSD and 370 healthy subjects were enrolled. Anthropometric, biochemical, nutritional, clinical and physical activity parameters were measured. ApoE and FABP2 genotypes were assesed by PCR-RFLPs assays.

RESULTS

ApoE E3/E4 genotype and the ApoE E4 allele was highly prevalent among the GSD patients compared to the controls (32% vs. 12.0% and 22% vs. 8.4% respectively p < 0.01). Patients with the Apo E4 allele showed an upward trend of cholesterol levels compared to non-Apo E4 allele carriers (E4 186 ± 30 mg/dL; E3 143 ± 37 mg/dL; E2 129 ± 34 mg/dL). High triglyceride levels were associated with patients that were FABP2 Thr54 allele carriers (p < 0.05) but lacked association with GSD. This may be due to changes in dietary fats after GSD diagnosis, masking the clinical course of the disease. Sedentary lifestyle and negative emotions were detected in 83% and 63% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the Apo E4 allele could confer genetic susceptibility for the development of GSD among the Mexican population. The Ala54Thr polymorphism of FABP2 was associated with high triglycerides levels, but not to GSD; suggesting that environmental factors modulate such susceptibility.