Apolipoprotein-E polymorphism and response to pravastatin in men with coronary artery disease (REGRESS)

Objectve - The influence of ApoE polymorphism on the efficacy of statins in lowering plasma lipids and lipoproteins and improving angiographic parameters was assessed. Methods: ApoE genotypes were studied in a group (n = 815) of well-characterised male coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who participated in the lipid-lowering regression study 'Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study (REGRESS)'. Results - There was a significant interaction between treatment (placebo/pravastatin) and APOE genotype when lipid levels were considered, APOE2 + carriers exhibited the largest improvement of HDL levels (+ 0.15 mmol/l) and LDL/HDL ratios (-0.60) compared with APOE3 + (+ 0.06 mmol/l, -0.043, respectively) and APOE4 + carriers (+ 0.07 mmol/l, -0.040). In contrast,APOE2 + allele carriers had the least effect in terms of angiographic parameters, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions - The effects of statins in subjects with different ApoE genotypes were different with regard to the lipoprotein profile, but not with regard to angiographic parameters.