Research

The effects of beta2 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in lipid profiles

Wei-Tsung Kao^1,2 , Yung-Chieh Yen³ and For-Wey Lung^1,4,5,6

¹Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

²Graduate School of Human Sexuality, Shu-Te University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan

³Department of Psychiatry, E-Da Hospital, and College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan

⁴Graduate Institute of Behavior Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

⁵Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan

⁶Calo Psychiatric Center, Pingtung County, Taiwan

author email corresponding author email

Lipids in Health and Disease 2008, 7:20doi:10.1186/1476-511X-7-20

Published:	21 May 2008

Abstract

Background

Explore the interaction between apolipoprotein E (Apo E), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) gene polymorphisms and lipid profiles in an elderly Chinese population.

Methods

Five hundred subjects aged 65 to 74 years were randomly selected from a community in southern Taiwan to assess the relationship between Apo E, PLA2 and β2-AR gene polymorphisms and lipid profiles. Two hundred sixty-seven participants agreed to have venous blood drawn for DNA studies.

Results

Two statistically significant differences were noted in TC and LDL-C in the Gln27Glu of the β2-AR gene polymorphism (P = 0.007, P = 0.022). The low-income group had a higher HDL-C level (p = 0.076). The Gln27Glu polymorphism Glu/Glu or Gln/Glu subjects had lower TC levels compared to the Gln27Glu polymorphism Gln/Gln subjects (p = 0.092). Lower TC levels (p = 0.082) and lower LDL-C levels (p = 0.045) in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Arg¹⁶Glu²⁷ haplotype. Lower TC levels (p = 0.06) were also noted in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Gly ¹⁶Glu²⁷ haplotype. On the other hand, higher VLDL-C levels (p = 0.185) and higher triglyceride (TG) levels (p = 0.190) were noted in subjects with the Cys¹⁹Gly ¹⁶Gln²⁷ haplotype. The ε2 allele combined with low income had a positive effect on HDL-C (p = 0.0011), after adding the income factor in this study.

Conclusion

When the effects of Apo E and PLA2 on lipid profiles were included in this study, β2-AR gene polymorphisms reduced significant effect on lipid profiles. Similarly, low income increased effect on HDL-C. This study appeared that the results of gene-gene and gene-environment interaction, it should be considered in further studies for lipid profiles.