Exploration of the relationship between phlegm-dampness constitution and polymorphism of low density lipoprotein receptor genes Pvu II and Ava II

Objective: To explore the polymorphism of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) genes Pvu II and Ava II in a population with phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC). Methods: Polymorphism of LDL-R genes at Pvu R and Ava R of 48 persons with gentle constitution (GC) and 61 with PDC were analyzed with PCR-RELP technique, and their serum contents of lipids and glucose were determined and compared as well. Results: The A+ allelic and P- allelic frequency were higher and the P+ allelic frequency was lower in subjects with PDC than those in subjects with GC, which were 0.3083 vs 0.1771, 0.9098 vs 0.7708 and 0.0902 vs 0.2292, respectively, all showing significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Comparison of the two groups in serum levels of triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, and 2 h postprandial insulin showed that all the parameters were higher in subjects with PDC than in subjects with GC respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: PDC is related with the P- and A+ allelic frequency of higher LDL-R genes at Pvu It and Ava U, therefore, the polymorphism of LDL-R genes could be taken as one of the genetic markers for PDC, and humans with PDC are more liable to suffer from blood lipids and glucose disorder than those with GC.