Apolipoprotein ε2 allele is associated with an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein profile in children:: The Columbia University BioMarkers Study

Objective. We examined associations between allelic variation in the apo epsilon gene, which codes for apolipoprotein E, and plasma lipid levels in children. Materials and Methods. We analyzed genotype and fasting lipid levels, including lipid particle size by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in 515 children from 297 families. Results. Children carrying the apo epsilon 2 allele (1 or 2 epsilon 2 alleles; n = 45) had higher mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level (49.5 +/- 13.0 vs 42.4 +/- 8.9 mg/dL) and lower mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level (82.2 +/- 48.6 vs 105.9 +/- 45.0 mg/dL) compared with apo epsilon 3/epsilon 3 children (n = 322). Mean HDL size was larger and mean level of the atheroprotective large HDL subpopulation was higher among apo e2 carriers compared with epsilon 3/epsilon 3 children (9.5 +/- 0.4 vs 9.3 +/- .4 nm, and 32.8 +/- 9.9 vs 27.6 +/- 8.2 mg/dL). In multivariate models adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, family history, body mass index, and fasting triglyceride level, the apo epsilon 2 allele was independently predictive of higher levels of HDL cholesterol and the large HDL subpopulation and of lower level of LDL cholesterol. Conclusion. The apo epsilon 2 allele is associated with an anti-atherogenic lipid pattern in children.