Studies of the CETP TaqIB and ApoE Polymorphisms in Southern Thai Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome

Several genetic factors have been investigated responsible for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms and MetS in 378 subjects from Southern Thailand. Subjects were divided into MetS+ (n = 121) and MetS− (n = 257) groups according to the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATPIII). The CETP TaqIB and ApoE polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) technique. Logistic regression analysis revealed no association of CETPTaqIB and ApoE variants with MetS, after adjustment for age and sex. However, ε4 allele had a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of reduced high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL-C) levels when compared with ε3 allele (OR 1.91; 95 % CI 1.11–3.29, p = 0.020). This suggests that CETP TaqIB and ApoE polymorphisms may not be considered as genetic risk factors for MetS in a Southern Thai population. However, ε4 allele which is associated with one metabolic component, low HDL-C levels, might predispose the subjects to develop metabolic disturbances.