BACKGROUND/AIMS: Changes in lipid profiles in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) during direct-acting antiviral therapy have been reported in recent years. However, the clinical aspects of disturbed lipid metabolism in chronic HCV infection have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Dynamic changes in serum total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein levels in patients infected with HCV genotype 1b were examined during combination therapy with daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV). RESULTS: Total, LDL−, and HDL-cholesterol levels increased rapidly and persistently after week 4. Apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo B, apo C-II, and apo C-III levels were significantly higher at week 4 than at week 0. In contrast, apo A-II and apo E levels were significantly lower. The differences in LDL− and HDL-cholesterol levels were positively correlated with those of apo B and apo A-I, respectively. Interestingly, in patients with non-sustained virological response, these cholesterol levels decreased rapidly after viral breakthrough or viral relapse. Furthermore, similar changes were observed for apo A-I, apo B and apo C-III levels. CONCLUSIONS: Clearance of HCV using combination therapy with DCV and ASV results in rapid changes in serum lipid profiles, suggesting an influence of HCV infection on disturbed lipid metabolism.
Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; Apolipoprotein C-II ; Apolipoprotein C-III ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cholesterol ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) has been considered a characteristic plasma lipid abnormality in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure, but is actually shown in only some of them (30-50%). Also renal dyslipidemia may contribute to atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Study population consisted of 34 patients with normotriglyceridemia (NTG), 11 patients with HTG and 47 controls. We measured total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apoB, apoC-III and apoE. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the NTG patients had significantly decreased levels of TC, HDL-C, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). But HTG patients had significantly increased TG, and TC/HDL-C ratio which were considered to represent the atherogenic indicator and had decreased HDL-C and LDL-C (P <0.001), with significant increase of TG and TC/HDL-C ratio compared with those of NTG patients. In the apolipoprotein profiles, all patients showed decreased levels of apoA-I, apoB, and apoA-I/apoC-III ratio and increased levels of apoC-III and apoC-III/apoE ratio compared with those of controls (P <0.001). Especially, HTG patients had significantly increased levels of apoC-III compared with NTG patients. CONCLUSIONS: So these results indicated that abnormalities of those potentially atherogenic lipid and lipoproteins may contribute to the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases and progression of renal disease in the HTG patients than NTG patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoprotein C-III ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Lipoproteins* ; Plasma ; Renal Dialysis* ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) is the second-most abundant apolipoprotein in human high-density lipoprotein and its role in cardio metabolic risk is not entirely clear. It has been suggested to have poor anti-atherogenic or even pro-atherogenic properties, but there are few studies on the possible role of apoA-II in Asian populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of apoA-II in metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) in Korean adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from 244 adults who visited the Center for Health Promotion in Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital for routine health examinations. RESULTS: The mean apoB level was significantly higher, and the mean apoA-I level was significantly lower, in MetS; however, there was no significant difference in apoA-II levels (30.5+/-4.6 mg/dL vs. 31.2+/-4.6 mg/dL, P=0.261). ApoA-II levels were more positively correlated with apoA-I levels than apoB levels. ApoA-II levels were less negatively correlated with homocysteine and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than apoA-I levels. The differences in MetS prevalence from the lowest to highest quartile of apoA-II were not significant (9.0%, 5.7%, 4.9%, and 6.6%, P=0.279). The relative risk of the highest quartile of apoA-II compared with the lowest quartile also was not significantly different (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.04; P=0.956). CONCLUSION: Compared with apoA-I (negative association with MetS) and apoB (positive association with MetS) levels, apoA-II levels did not show any association with MetS in this study involving Korean adults. However, apoA-II may have both anti-atherogenic and pro-atherogenic properties.
Adult ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins B ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; C-Reactive Protein ; Health Promotion ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) plays a major role in lipoprotein metabolism and lipid transport. Many investigators have described that Apo E polymorphisms is one of the most important genetic determinants for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between Apo E polymorphisms and serum lipid profiles in obese adolescent. METHODS: We measured the serum concentrations of glucose, apolipoprotein (Apo) A1, Apo B, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL and LDL-cholesterol after overnight fasting in obese adolescent. Apo E polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: 86 obese adolescents participated in this study. The body mass index (BMI) of participants were excess of 95 percentile by age and sex. Male to female ratio was 1.7 and mean age of study group was 16.2+/-1.8 years. Mean BMI was 27.4+/-2.5 kg/m2. The frequency of epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4 allele were 8.1%, 87.2% and 4.7% respectively. Study populations were classified into the following three genotypes 1) Apo E2 group (n=13, 15.1%) carrying either the epsilon2/epsilon2 or epsilon2/epsilon3 2) Apo E3 group (n=65, 75.6%) carrying the most frequent epsilon3/epsilon3 3) Apo E4 group (n=8, 9.3%) carrying either the epsilon3/epsilon4 or epsilon4/epsilon4. No differences were found among Apo E genotypes concerning age, sex, weight, height and BMI. Apo B and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the Apo E4 group (P<0.05). No association were found between Apo E genotypes and glucose, Apo A1, TC, TG and HDL. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that serum concentrations Apo B and LDL-cholesterol were influenced by Apo E genotypes. Apo E polymorphisms seems to influence some alteration of lipid metabolism associated with obesity in adolescent.
Adolescent ; Alleles ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoprotein E2 ; Apolipoprotein E3 ; Apolipoprotein E4 ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Female ; Genotype ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lifting ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Obesity ; Research Personnel

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate associations between the apolipoprotein E-CI-CII gene cluster polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD).

<b>METHODSb>apoE genotypes were identified by multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (multi-ARMS) and the polymorphisms of both apoCI and apoCII genes were detected by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 203 cases of CAD and 365 controls. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium coefficients (D, D') were estimated by the LINKAGE program.

<b>RESULTSb>The frequencies of apoE E3/4 genotype (0.259) and epsilon4 (0.139) in CAD group were significantly higher than that in control group (0.125, 0.069), (P<0.05). The significant difference was also found for the apoCI locus, the frequencies of H2 allele were 0. 205 in the CAD and 0.113 in the control. Linkage disequilibrium coefficient D' was 0.672 (P<0.01) between apoE and apoCI genes. Significant differences for a deficit of epsilon3-H1-T1 and excess of epsilon4-H2-T1 were found in the CAD by estimation of the haplotype frequencies. After adjustment for possible confounding factors, the multivariate Logistic analysis showed a significant interaction among epsilon4, H2 and smoking, OR value was 18.3 (95%CI:2.35-150.81, P<0.05), attributable proportions of interaction (API) was 57.3%, it was a multiplicative model. An additive model was shown among epsilon4, H2 and bibulosity; the odds ratio (OR) (95%CI) and API of their interaction were 12.7(2.8-58.6, P<0.05) and 43.5%, respectively.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>The results suggested that both apoE and apoCI on chromosome 19 were the susceptibility loci for CAD, their linkage disequilibrium should be responsible for the development of CAD. Smoking and bibulosity can significantly increase the risk of CAD.

Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Apolipoprotein C-I ; genetics ; Apolipoprotein C-II ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multigene Family ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Smoking

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally prevalent human pathogen that causes persistent liver infections in most infected individuals. Several studies reported that HCV particles are enriched in apolipoprotein E (apoE) and that apoE is required for HCV infectivity and production. However, the relationship between apoE gene polymorphisms and HCV genotypes in patients with HCV is less well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between apoE gene polymorphism and HCV genotypes in patients. The HCV genotypes were identified among the 124 patients infected with HCV, and the genetic characteristics of the HCV genotype were analyzed. In addition, the results of the clinical laboratory test were comparatively analyzed according to the classified genotypes. Both HCV 1b (n=80) and 2a (n=42) patients had higher AFP, AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GTP, apoB, and apoE values compared with the normal control group. In particular, apoB and apoE levels were statistically significantly higher in the HCV 2a patients (P<0.05) and apoE levels were significantly higher in the HCV 1b patients (P<0.000). According to the results the patients with HCV genotype 1b showed higher values of liver damage related indicators and apoB expression than the patients with HCV genotype 2a. The fat related indicators and apoE expression were not different between the two major HCV genotypes (2a and 1b). We anticipate that the apoE ε3 allele is the most common type in HCV genotype 1b (89.2%) and 2a (91.7%). As a result of apoE genotyping, we confirmed an association with HCV infection and the apoE ε3 allele. However, the ratios of the apoE ε3 allele among the patients with genotype 1b and 2a were similar to each other.
Alleles ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Liver

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between apo E and ACE genetic polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients with type 2 diabetes who had a duration of diabetes longer than 8 years were divided into the three apo E groups (E2, E3, E4) and three ACE groups (II, ID, DD). Plasma levels of lipids were measured. The frequency of diabetic nephropathy and clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared among the Apo E and ACE genotype groups. RESULTS: The frequency of overt nephropathy was significantly greater in apo E2 patients with diabetes (46.7%) than apo E3 (16.7%) or apo E4 patients (10.5%). Logistical regression analysis showed that odds ratio of apo E2 and apo E4 genotypes for the presence of overt nephropathy were 4.779 (p<0.01) and 0.643 (p=0.583), respectively. Plasma TG levels were significantly greater in apo E2 patients. This study did not show an association between ACE gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy, and no interaction between Apo E and ACE gene polymorphism. CONCLUSION: Apo E2 is a prognostic risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in Korean type 2 diabetes. TG may have an important role of diabetic nephropathy. There were not synergistic effect between Apo E and ACE gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy.
Apolipoprotein E2 ; Apolipoprotein E3 ; Apolipoprotein E4 ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene influences the cognition of community residents. The aim of this study was to establish the association between ApoE gene polymorphism and cognitive function in an elderly rural community in Korea. METHODS: A total of 388 subjects aged 65 and over were recruited. Demographic characteristics, past history of illness, and scores on the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale . Short Form (GDS-S), and the Korean version of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K-IADL) were evaluated. The lipid profile and ApoE genotype were sampled from 377 of the participants. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort, 75% had less than 6 years of education, and 30% were illiterate. The frequencies of the ApoE epsilon2, ApoE epsilon3, and ApoE epsilon4 alleles were 48 (6.6%), 372 (86.9%), and 49 (6.5%), respectively. The K-MMSE score was much lower in those with two ApoE epsilon3 alleles than in those with only one ( p=0.046). However, the numbers of ApoE epsilon2 alleles (p=0.976) and ApoE epsilon4 alleles (p=0.934) carried by the individual were not associated with K-MMSE score. Both K-IADL (p<0.001) and GDS-S (p<0.001) scores were significantly correlated with K-MMSE score. Grouping of the participants into three groups according to K-MMSE score (i.e., 0-17 , 18-24, and 25-30) also revealed that this score was correlated with K-IADL score (p<0001), GDS-S score (p<0.001), and the ApoE epsilon3 allele (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the ApoE epsilon3 allele has a negative influence on cognitive function (K-MMSE) in this rural community. Surprisingly, we were unable to detect any relationship between the ApoE epsilon4 allele and cognitive function. There was a positive correlation between K-MMSE, K-IADL, and GDS-S scores.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Alleles ; Apolipoprotein E2 ; Apolipoprotein E3 ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cognition ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Genotype ; Humans ; Rural Population

Serum levels of apolipo protein A-I (Apo A-I) and apolipo protein B (Apo B) were determined with immumo turbidimetry technique on 42 healthy subjects. Obtained Apo AI values were distributed according to standard Gauss rule. Apo AI values were determined in the interval of 87-94 mg/dl, and Apo B- 57.112 mg/dl. There was no difference between male and female subjects in terms of serum levels of Apo B and Apo A-I. The results could be approved temporarily as reference for laboratory and clinical works
Serum ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoproteins B

BACKGROUND: Alterations of lipid profiles are well known in thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism is associated with premature atherosclerosis. This relation has been attributed to increased levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. However, there have been dissenting reports of abnormalities in serum lipid concentrations in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum Lp(a), an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis, is predicted according to thyroid function status. C-reactive protein (CRP) is very sensitive acute phase reactant and independently associated with the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Overt hypothyroidism is a cause of atherosclerosis, so it is expected that serum level of CRP may be related with thyroid dysfunction. However, no study has been performed about it. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relation of plasma CRP, apo A1, apo B and Lp(a) with thyroid function. METHODS: We undertook this study in 54 patients with hyperthyroidism, 35 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 29 patients with overt hypothyroidism, 194 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 100 age and sex matched healthy control subjects. Serum CRP and Lp(a) were measured by immuno-nephelometry. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of serum CRP, Lp(a), HDL-C and apo A1 according to thyroid dysfunction. Serum total cholesterol level was lower in hyperthyroidism than in overt hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and healthy control subjects (p<0.05). Serum LDL-C level was lower in hyperthyroidism than overt hypothyroidism (p<0.05). Serum triglyceride level was higher in overt hypothyroidism than in hyperthyroidism and healthy control subjects (p<0.05). Serum apo B level was lower in hyperthyroidism than in overt hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and healthy control subjects (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum CRP and Lp(a), risk factors of atherosclerosis, were not significantly different according to thyroid dysfunction. Increased risk for atherosclerosis in overt hypothyroidism seems not to be associated with serum CRP level.
Apolipoprotein A-I* ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins* ; Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Dissent and Disputes ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Plasma* ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland* ; Triglycerides