Effects of Sex on the Relationship Between Apolipoprotein E Gene and Serum Lipid Profiles in Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiajia Fu, Yan Huang, Ting Bao, Ruwei Ou, Qianqian Wei, Yongping Chen, H. J. Yang, Xueping Chen, Huifang Shang
Abstract
Background Sex is an important factor in studying the relationship between the APOE gene, lipid profiles, and AD. However, few studies have focused on the effect of sex on lipids in AD and normal controls with different APOE genes. Materials and Methods A total of 549 participants, including 298 AD patients and 251 body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls (HCs), were enrolled. Lipid profiles and APOE genes in both AD patients and HCs were determined. Results (1) TC and LDL were higher in AD patients than in HCs, only in APOE ε 4 carrying populations, but not in non-carrying populations. (2) TC and LDL were higher in APOE ε 4 allele carriers than in non-carriers, only in AD populations, but not in HCs. (3) The TC of APOE ε 2 carriers was lower than that of non-carriers in the male AD population, but not in the female AD population, female HCs, and male HCs. (4) The increased LDL level may increase the risk of AD in female people carrying APOE ε 4 . Conclusion The TC and LDL levels of APOE ε 4 carriers were higher than those of non-carriers, and the effect was more significant in the female AD population. The TC levels in APOE ε 2 carriers were lower than those in non-carriers, which was more significant in the male AD population.