Association of Apolipoprotein A-IV Gene G360T Polymorphism with Metabolic Syndrome: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the G360T polymorphism of apolipoprotein A-IV gene and MetS. For this cross-sectional study, 782 individuals, aged >19 years, were selected randomly from among TLGS participants; these included 325 men (61 with MetS and 264 controls), and 457 women (131 with MetS and 326 controls). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. The Apo A-IV gene polymorphism was studied using the PCR-RFLP method by Fnh4HI restriction enzyme. Frequencies of the G and T alleles in men with MetS and those without were 85.2, 14.8, and 83.3, 16.7%, respectively, and in women with and without MetS these were 82.4, 17.6, and 85.9, 14.1%, respectively, values not significant. The GG and TT genotypes had the highest and lowest frequency, respectively (84.4% and 0.3%). Analyses of data showed that presence of T allele was significantly associated with lower levels of HDL-C (p<0.05) in women with MetS, and with lower apolipoprotein CIII levels (p <0.05) in normal women, and higher diastolic blood pressure (p <0.05) in men without MetS. The findings of the current study showed significant effects on HDL-C levels in women with MetS. Considering the association observed between the G360T polymorphism of Apo A-IV gene and lipid factors in women with MetS and the high prevalence of this syndrome in Iranian women, further studies recommended to assess the association of Apo A-IV gene variation with lipids factors for prevention and treatment of the syndrome.