Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes

Background The role of apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) in lipid metabolism has been well established, and APOE is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the relationship between APOE polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with or without CVD remains unclear. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 924 participants including 211 controls (CVD-T2DM-), 247 T2DM patients with CVD (CVD-T2DM+), 232 CVD patients without T2DM (CVD + T2DM-) and 234 T2DM patients with CVD (CVD + T2DM+), were genotyped using chip platform. The association between APOE polymorphisms and T2DM patients with or without CVD was analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic analysis. Results The present study showed that the frequency of E3/E4 increased in T2DM patients with CVD (p < 0.01). The epsilon 4 allele was higher in CVD patients without T2DM (p < 0.01) and T2DM patients with CVD (p < 0.01) as compared with the controls. Conclusions The subjects carrying epsilon 4 allele have increased risk of CVD and T2DM, and exhibit higher level of lipid profiles.