The apolipoprotein E polymorphism and the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee

• Main Authors: Rymo Lars, Palmér Mona, Aires Nibia, Zetterberg Henrik, Strandhagen Elisabeth, Blennow Kaj, Thelle Dag S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2004-11-01
• Series: Lipids in Health and Disease
• Subjects: controlled study; <it>APOE </it>polymorphism; serum lipids; filtered coffee
• Online Access: http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/26

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The response of serum cholesterol to diet may be affected by the apolipoprotein E (<it>APOE</it>) ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism, which also is a significant predictor of variation in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD death. Here, we test the hypothesis that the <it>APOE </it>polymorphism may modulate the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>We determined the effect of a coffee abstention period and a daily intake of 600 mL coffee on serum cholesterol and triglycerides with respect to the <it>APOE </it>polymorphism.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>121 healthy, non-smoking men (22%) and women (78%) aged 29–65 years, took part in a study with four intervention periods: 1 and 3) a coffee free period of three weeks, 2 and 4) 600 mL coffee/day for four weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>APOE ε</it>2 positive individuals had significantly lower total cholesterol concentration at baseline (4.68 mmol/L and 5.28 mmol/L, respectively, p = 0.01), but the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee was not influenced significantly by <it>APOE </it>allele carrier status.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The <it>APOE ε </it>2 allele is associated with lower serum cholesterol concentration. However, the <it>APOE </it>polymorphism does not seem to influence the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee.</p>