Genetic Influences on Serum Cholesterol in two Greek Villages

Data are presented concerning the genetic component of the determination of serum cholesterol levels in the inhabitants of two villages of North West Greece. In common with other studies, significant parent-offspring and sib-sib correlations were found, best explicable on the basis of the contribution of many genes with additive effects. An attempt was made to define some of these genetic systems by calculating the effect of variation at loci determining eleven serum and blood group polymorphisms as well as of genetically determined hemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency. Significant effects were found in the ABO and Gm groups but the possibility cannot be excluded that these were due to chance. The limited data available support previous reports of a lower level of serum cholesterol in individuals with β-thalassemia trait. Such a lower level was found in both sexes in persons over eighteen years old but not in children under that age. Association between increases in cholesterol and hemoglobin levels was also observed; this association is stronger among thalassemics than among normal individuals.