APOA1 polymorphisms are associated with variations in serum triglyceride concentrations in hypercholesterolemic individuals

Background: Apolipoprotein A-I gene (APOA1) polymorphisms have been associated with variations in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. We have investigated whether APOA1 common variants are also associated with variations in basal triglyceride serum concentrations and response to atorvastatin in individuals with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: APOA1 G–75A and C83T polymorphisms and variations in serum lipids were evaluated in 150 hypercholesterolemic (HC) and 93 normolipidemic (NL) unrelated European-derived Brazilians treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day for 4 weeks). Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes using a salting-out method and APOA1 polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: G–75A polymorphism was associated with differences in serum concentrations of triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol (p=0.026) in HC men. After atorvastatin treatment, women carrying the GG/CC haplotype had lower serum triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol (p=0.020) than non-carriers. In men, the reduction in serum triglyceride in response to atorvastatin was found to be slightly lower in GG/CC haplotype carriers (p=0.051). Conclusion: Our data suggest that APOA1 polymorphisms are associated with variations of baseline serum concentrations of triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol and in response to atorvastatin in a gender-specific manner.