Association of HindIII Polymorphism of the Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Gene (rs320) and Plasma Metabolic Parameters in a Nigerian Population.

Genetic variations in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene including the HindIII polymorphism (rs320) have been reported to modify fat metabolism, adiposity, and body weight. However, little attention has been given to the African population. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the rs320 gene polymorphism and a number of metabolic and anthropometric parameters in a sample of the Nigerian population. We recruited 236 participants for the study. The participants were required to sign informed consent forms after which information related to their calorie intake and utilization as well as anthropometric measurements were recorded. Plasma metabolic parameters were subsequently determined using an autoanalyzer. Genotyping for HindIII polymorphism was performed using the PCR-RFLP method. The frequencies (n) of T and G alleles were 0.841 (397) and 0.158 (75), while the frequencies (n) of TT, TG, and GG were 0.691(163), 0.301(71), and 0.01(2), respectively. The population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ = 3.717, df = 1, p = 0.841). The anthropometric parameters, the fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed no association with the alleles, while plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were significantly higher among the G allele carriers. However, triglyceride and total protein were significantly higher among the non-G allele carriers. The LPL HindIII gene polymorphism is associated with changes in plasma lipid profile in a sample of the Nigerian population.