ABSTRACT
Background: Apolipoprotein E [apo E] gene polymorphism was found to be associated with coronary artery disease in several studies. In this investigation, we aimed to study the association between apo E gene polymorphism and acute coronary syndrome in Egyptian population
Subjects and methods: The study included 200 patients with acute coronary syndrome [myocardial infarction and unstable angina], and 100 healthy controls. Anthropometric, clinical and lipid profile parameters were evaluated. Apo E genotyping was carried out using sequence-specific-primer [SSP]-PCR methodology
Results: E3/4 genotype frequency was higher in the patients than in the controls [P < 0.05], while E2/3 genotype frequency was elevated in the controls than in the patients [P < 0.05]. In addition, the frequency of E4 isoform was higher in the patients compared to the controls [P < 0.001]. Patients with E3/4 and E4/4 genotypes had significantly higher total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels than those with E3/3 genotype. No significant differences in apo E genotype distribution were found between myocardial infarction and unstable angina patients
Conclusion: Apo E gene polymorphism had a role in acute coronary syndrome, possibly through affecting plasma lipid parameters