Apolipoprotein E in Healthy Volunteers

1Cardiovascular Research Group, University of Manchester, UK 2Cardiovascular Trials Unit, University Department of Medicine, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.Background: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is an important component of plasma lipoproteins and plays a vital role in lipoprotein metabolism. The influence of age and gender on apoE concentration and distribution across lipoproteins is not clear. Methods: ApoE and glycated apoE distributions in different lipoproteins in 32 (18 men and 14 women) healthy volunteers were determined. Results: Total apoE concentration (mean +SEM) was 48.2±2.4 mg/l. Of this 13.3±2.5 mg/l (27.6%) was in VLDL, 10.6±2.2 mg/l (22.0%) in LDL, 14.4±1.2 mg/l (29.9%) in HDL and 9.9± 2.0 mg/l (20.5%) in the density range >1.21g/ml. ApoE concentration in VLDL was strongly correlated with VLDL-apoB and VLDL-TG. There was no significant difference in total apoE between men and women. However, in men VLDL-apoE was significantly higher (15.6±1.4 mg/l vs. 10.3±1.4mg/l, p1.21 g/ml were glycated. Conclusions: The apoE concentration and lipoproteins distribution are influenced by age and gender. VLDL and LDL apoE are more susceptible to glycation in vivo.