Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Insulin Levels in a Biethnic Population

Rodolfo Valdez; Barbara V Howard; Michael P Stern; Steven M Haffner

doi:10.2337/diacare.18.7.992

Original Articles

Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Insulin Levels in a Biethnic Population

Rodolfo Valdez, MD,
Barbara V Howard, PHD,
Michael P Stern, MD and
Steven M Haffner, MD

Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Texas
Department of Medicine, Medlantic Research Institute Washington, D.C.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Steven M. Haffner, MD, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78284-7873.

Diabetes Care 1995 Jul; 18(7): 992-1000. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.18.7.992

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To study the association of apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism with important cardiovascular risk factors other than cholesterol levels, such as insulinemia and insulin resistance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this report, we study the association of three major apoE phenotypes (apoE 3/2, apoE 3/3, and apoE 4/3) with indicators of insulin resistance such as fasting insulin, glucose, and lipid levels in 320 nondiabetic Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites from San Antonio, TX.

RESULTS The two ethnic groups differed in the frequencies of the three major apoE phenotypes. However, the associations of these phenotypes with lipid and insulin levels were similar in both ethnic groups and in both sexes. Compared with the other two major apoE phenotypes, the apoE 3/2 phenotype was associated with lower levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower levels of fasting and 2-h postload insulin.

CONCLUSIONS In addition to the association with cholesterol levels, the variability at the apoE locus may be associated with a much broader set of metabolic factors that relate to insulin resistance.