Meta-based evidence for apolipoprotein E 2 3 4 polymorphism in association with hypertension among Chinese

Mounting evidence suggests that hypertension is strongly linked to a variety of lipoprotein metabolism abnormalities. Apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE) is one such candidate with its common [epsilon]2/[epsilon]3/[epsilon]4 polymorphism ranking high in hypertension association. To derive more specific information, we pinpoint our research scope in Chinese to test whether this polymorphism is associated with hypertension via a meta-analysis. Random-effects model was performed irrespective of the between study heterogeneity. Data and study quality were assessed in duplicate. Publication bias was evaluated using the fail-safe number. Overall, 12 studies with 14 study groups totalling 1532 hypertensive patients and 2172 controls were identified. Carriers of ApoE [epsilon]2 allele had no significant increased risk for hypertension (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-1.35; P = 0.78), compared with those carrying [epsilon]3 allele, whereas those with [epsilon]4 allele had a significant increased risk for hypertension (pooled OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.61-2.55; P