OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype with hypertriglyceridemia-associated recurrent acute pancreatitis.

METHODSTaking the fasting serum triglyceride (TG) level > or = 2.3 mmol/L as hypertriglyceridemia, ApoE genotypes in 115 patients with hypertriglyceridemia-associated recurrent acute pancreatitis were assessed by polymerase chain reaction. According to the fasting serum TG level, all patients were divided into 3 groups: TG mild elevation group (2.3 mmol/L < or = TG < 5.5 mmol/L, Group A), TG moderate elevation group (5.5 mmol/L < or = TG < 11.3 mmol/L, Group B), and TG severe elevation group (TG > or = 11.3 mmol/L, Group C).

RESULTSGroup C had significantly fewer patients with biliary tract disease, improper diet and heavy alcohol consumption, and significantly more patients with passed history of moderate-severe hypertriglyceridemia than Group A and B (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with E3/4, E3/2, E2/4 and E2/2 genotypes and gene frequency for epsilon 2 and epsilon 4 alleles are significantly higher in Group C than in Group A and B(P < 0.05). Group B had significantly more patients with E3/2 genotype and higher gene frequency for epsilon 2 allele than Group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSApo epsilon 2 and epsilon 4 alleles are closely related to moderate-severe hypertriglyceridemia-associated recurrent acute pancreatitis.