Impact of Genetic Variants of Apolipoprotein E on Lipid Profile in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) seems to involve genetic susceptibility to neurodegeneration.APOEgene has been considered a risk factor for PD. This study aimed to evaluate the association ofAPOEpolymorphism with PD and its influence on lipid profile. We studied 232 PD patients (PD) and 169 individuals without the disease. The studied polymorphism was analyzed by PCR/RFLP. The Fisher's exact test, chi-square, ANOVA, andt-test (P<0.05) were applied. TheAPOE3/3genotype was prevalent in PD patients and Controls (P=0.713) followed byAPOE3/4(P=0.772). Both groups showed recommended values for lipid profile, with increase in the values of total cholesterol and LDLc, as well as decreased values of triglycerides in PD patients compared with Controls (P<0.05for all of them). Increased levels of HDLc, in PD patients, were associated with theAPOE3/3versusAPOE-/4genotypes (P=0.012). TheAPOEpolymorphism does not distinguish PD patients from Controls, as opposed to the lipid profile alone or in association withAPOE. Furthermore, a relationship between increase of HDLc levels andAPOE3in homozygous was found in PD patients only.