Lower prevalence of epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene in healthy, longer-lived individuals of Hellenic origin.

Authors: Stakias N; Liakos P; Tsiapali E; Goutou M; Koukoulis GN

Abstract: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and especially its epsilon4 isoform, is considered a risk factor predisposing to coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that the absence of epsilon4 allele offers a better chance for longer life. So we compared the prevalence of ApoE genotypes in 80 healthy aged individuals (HAI) (>80 years) and 391 Greek adults (median age 43 years) with ApoE genotype distribution consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi(2) = 5.93, p >.05). ApoE genotypes were comparable in both groups with the exception of E3/3 and E3/4, which were significantly higher (87.50% vs 75.99%, p =.025) and lower (5.00% vs 13.19%, p =.036), respectively, in HAI. The epsilon2 and epsilon3 allele frequencies were not different between the groups. The epsilon4 allele was significantly less frequent in HAI compared to controls (3.1% vs 8.58%, p =.020). Our results indicate an unfavorable effect of epsilon4 allele on longevity that may be attenuated by environmental and/or other genetic factors.

Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Alleles; Apolipoprotein E4/*genetics; Female; Genotype; Greece/epidemiology; Humans; Longevity/*genetics; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence
Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
Volume: 61
Issue: 12
Pages: 1228-31
Date: Jan. 20, 2007
PMID: 17234815
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Citation:

Stakias N, Liakos P, Tsiapali E, Goutou M, Koukoulis GN (2006) Lower prevalence of epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene in healthy, longer-lived individuals of Hellenic origin. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences 61: 1228-31.


Lifespan Factors:
  • APOE apolipoprotein E

  • Longevity Variant Associations (p-value):
  • apoE haplotypes (0.02)
  • APOE polymorphism (0.02)

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