Polymorphism of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 gene and its association with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations.

BACKGROUND: Information about the association of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) gene polymorphism at the 1784G>C locus and serum lipid parameters is limited and contradictory. The present study was undertaken to compare the difference in the SREBP-2 gene polymorphism and its association with serum lipid levels between the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. METHODS: Genotyping of the SREBP-2 gene in 768 subjects of Hei Yi Zhuang and 798 participants of Han Chinese aged 15 to 89 was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The frequency of G allele was 88.9% in Hei Yi Zhuang and 84.7% in Han (P < 0.001). The frequencies of GG, GC, and CC genotypes were 78.9%, 20.1%, and 1.0% in Hei Yi Zhuang, and 70.4%, 28.6%, and 1.0% in Han (P < 0.001), respectively. The frequencies of G allele and GG genotype in Han, but not in Hei Yi Zhuang, were higher in males than in females, or in high total cholesterol (TC >5.18 mmol/L) subgroup than in normal TC subgroup (P < 0.01 for all). In high TC subgroup, TC, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels in Han were lower in GG genotype than in GC/CC genotype (P < 0.05-0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the SREBP-2 gene polymorphism at the 1784G>C locus between the Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. The individuals carrying the G allele have more favorable lipid profiles than those carrying the C allele in Han but not in Hei Yi Zhuang.

Association of TaqIB polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations.

BACKGROUND: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. The present study was undertaken to compare the difference in the CETP TaqIB gene polymorphism and its association with serum lipid levels between the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. METHODS: A total of 758 subjects of Hei Yi Zhuang and 778 participants of Han Chinese were surveyed. Genotyping of the CETP TaqIB was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism and then confirmed using direct sequencing. RESULTS: The genotypic and allelic frequencies were significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers, or between hypertensives and normotensives in Hei Yi Zhuang, and between drinkers and nondrinkers in Han. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein AI in Hei Yi Zhuang but not in Han were higher in B2B2 genotype than in B1B1 genotype (P < 0.01 for each). Higher HDL-C levels in Hei Yi Zhuang were found only in females, nondrinkers, nonsmokers, subjects with a body mass index of 24 kg/m or lesser, or normotensives in B2B2 genotype. Higher HDL-C levels in Han were found only in females in B2B2 genotype and in subjects with a body mass index of 24 kg/m or lesser or normotensives in B1B2 genotype. The levels of HDL-C in B1B1 and B1B2 individuals in both ethnic groups were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the interactions between the CETP TaqIB genotypes and several environmental factors in the Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. The polymorphism predicted differences in HDL-C and ApoAI in the Hei Yi Zhuang but not in the Han Chinese, even after adjustment for confounding variables. This means that the gene may not be truly involved in regulation of high-density lipoprotein metabolism or that there is an ethnic-specific effect.

Diet, lifestyle, and blood pressure of the middle-aged and elderly in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.

BACKGROUND: Bai Ku Yao is an isolated subgroup of the Yao minority in China. Little is known about the association of diet and lifestyle with the prevalence of hypertension in this population. METHODS: A total of 485 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 501 participants of Han Chinese aged 40-89 were surveyed using stratified randomized cluster sampling. Information on diet and lifestyle was collected by using standard questionnaires. Blood pressure (BP) and serum lipid levels were measured. RESULTS: Physical activity levels, carbohydrate, vegetal protein, and dietary fiber intake were higher in Bai Ku Yao than in Han, whereas educational level, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and total energy, fat, protein, dietary cholesterol, and salt intake were higher in Han than in Bai Ku Yao. Systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure (PP) levels and the prevalence of hypertension (21.9% vs. 28.9%, P < 0.05)were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han. Hypertension was positively correlated with age, physical activity,BMI, and waist circumference, as well as with total energy, fat, and salt intake, and negatively associated with educational levels and dietary fiber intake in both ethnic groups (P < 0.05 for all). Hypertension was also positively correlated with triglycerides (TGs) in Bai Ku Yao and alcohol consumption in Han (P < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: The differences in BP levels and the prevalence of hypertension among the middle-aged and elderly between Bai Ku Yao and Han might result from different dietary patterns, lifestyle choices, physical activity levels, sodium intake, and even genetic factors.