Is the ApoE Polymorphism Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

Abstract. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is 34 kDa protein involved in the modulation of cholesterol transport and homeostasis. Polymorphism of the ApoE gene has been implicated in many chronic cardiovascular and neuronal diseases. ApoE ε4 allele has been reported to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, coronary heart disease, etc. Fifty patients with the end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and advanced congestive heart failure were examined in our study. For evaluation of ApoE polymorphism, novel approach of fast screening of ApoE gene polymorphism by combination of PCR and blotting (CVD StripAssay) was used. Individual genotypes were correlated with basic cardiologic clinical parameters. The reported frequency of this allele in Caucasian population is 14.7%. Our results showed that in patients with DCM frequency of the ApoE ε4 allele is 40%. Frequency of the genotype ε2/4 was 58% and ε3/4 was 22%. Comparison with control Caucasian groups monitored by others clearly revealed that frequency of ε4 alelle is increased in patients with advanced stages of DCM. This observation suggests association of ApoE polymorphism with severe form of DCM. Physiological consequences of this observation remain to be clarified. Key words: Apolipoprotein E — Gene polymorphism — Dilated cardiomyopath