Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in Egyptian acute coronary syndrome patients

BackgroundApolipoprotein E (apo E) gene polymorphism was found to be associated with coronary artery disease in several studies.In this investigation, we aimed to study the association between apo E gene polymorphism and acute coronary syndrome in Egyptian population.Subjects and methodsThe study included 200 patients with acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction and unstable angina), and 100 healthy controls. Anthropometric, clinical and lipid profile parameters were evaluated. Apo E genotyping was carried out using sequence-specific-primer (SSP)-PCR methodology.ResultsЄ3/4 genotype frequency was higher in the patients than in the controls (P < 0.05), while Є2/3 genotype frequency was elevated in the controls than in the patients (P < 0.05). In addition, the frequency of Є4 isoform was higher in the patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001). Patients with Є3/4 and Є4/4 genotypes had significantly higher total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels than those with Є3/3 genotype. No significant differences in apo E genotype distribution were found between myocardial infarction and unstable angina patients.ConclusionApo E gene polymorphism had a role in acute coronary syndrome, possibly through affecting plasma lipid parameters.