Polymorphism of A I, A IV and E apolipoprotein genes and effect of fat intake on HDL levels

In this review, we have focused on current knowledge about the influence of genetic polymorphisms in certain genes on the lipoprotein response to dietary fat and cholesterol. The DNA polymorphisms on the genes encoding apo A-IV, apo C-III, apo E, have been found to be associated with the plasma lipoprotein response to dietary intervention. The plasma lipid response to changes in dietary fat and cholesterol can vary between individuals. An Adenine to Guanine (A→G) mutation in the promoter of the apolipoprotein A1 gene (apoA-1) has been suggested to affect plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Some studies have reported that subjects with the A allele have higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol than do subjects who are homozygous for the most common G allele. The results of other studies indicate that the presence of the 360His allele of apoA-IV is responsible, at least partially, for the inter-individual variability in HDL-C response to dietary fats, with subjects who have this allele presenting a greater increase in HDL-C levels after consuming fat-rich diets. Many studies have shown that the effect of cholesterol feeding on total HDL cholesterol produces no change in E3/E2 subjects, a small increase in E3/E3 subjects, and the largest increase in E4/E3 subjects An improved understanding of the influence of specific genes on lipoprotein responsiveness to dietary fat may allow us to counsel individuals to meet their own dietary fat requirements so that they may reduce their risk of developing hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease.