The effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on serum metabolome - a population-based 10-year follow-up study

Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 24;9(1):458. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36450-9.

Abstract

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is the key regulator of plasma lipids, mediating altered functionalities in lipoprotein metabolism - affecting the risk of coronary artery (CAD) and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as longevity. Searching pathways influenced by apoE prior to adverse manifestations, we utilized a metabolome dataset of 228 nuclear-magnetic-resonance-measured serum parameters with a 10-year follow-up from the population-based Young Finns Study cohort of 2,234 apoE-genotyped (rs7412, rs429358) adults, aged 24-39 at baseline. At the end of our follow-up, by limiting FDR-corrected p < 0.05, regression analyses revealed 180/228 apoE-polymorphism-related associations with the studied metabolites, in all subjects - without indications of apoE x sex interactions. Across all measured apoE- and apoB-containing lipoproteins, ε4 allele had consistently atherogenic and ε2 protective effect on particle concentrations of free/esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and total lipids. As novel findings, ε4 associated with glycoprotein acetyls, LDL-diameter and isoleucine - all reported biomarkers of CAD-risk, inflammation, diabetes and total mortality. ApoE-subgroup differences persisted through our 10-year follow-up, although some variation of individual metabolite levels was noticed. In conclusion, apoE polymorphism associate with a complex metabolic change, including aberrations in multiple novel biomarkers related to elevated cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk, extending our understanding about the role of apoE in health and disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Metabolome*
  • Metabolomics* / methods
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Biomarkers