OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the -1131T/C and 56C/G polymorphism in the APOA5 gene as well as the -482C/T in the APOC3 gene and susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Chinese Han population.

METHODSUsing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) methods, we analyzed the genotypes in 312 CAD patients diagnosed by angiography and 317 healthy controls. The levels of serum lipid profiles were also studied by biochemical methods.

RESULTSThe frequency of the APOA5 -1131 C allele in CAD patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (39.9% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.02). Compared with the wild type TT, CC homozygotes had a significantly increased CAD risk (OR = 1.93 and OR = 1.80 using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models, respectively). This association still existed after adjustment for the APOC3-482 variant. The APOA5-1131C allele also showed a correlation with increasing plasma TG levels (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe APOA5-1131T/C polymorphism but not APOC3-482C/T might contribute to an increased risk of CAD among Chinese accompanied by an elevation of serum TG levels; this effect was found to be independent of the APOC3-482C/T variant.