ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genetype and the depressed symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods:The genotypes and alleles of apolipoprotein E gene in 26 depressed patients with coronary heart disease,30 non-depressed patients with coronary heart disease and 30 healthy control subjects were examined with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) technique.Meanwhile, the HRSD was completed by all 86 subjects. Results:The frequency of Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 in depressed patients with coronary heart disease was more than that in normal subjects .Especially the total cholesterol, HRSD and HAD in patients with the apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 were significantly higher than those in patients without the apolipoprotein E epsilon 4. Conclusion:Our results support the polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E gene were associated with the depressed symptoms in coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 may play a major role in the pathogenesis of depressed symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease.