Combined effect of abdominal obesity and both hepatic lipase gene polymorphism and angiotensin genepolymorphism on lipid and lipoprotein levels and insulin resistance. (c2002)

Abstract

Over the years, several studies have shown the importance of genetic factors in the variation of the lipid and lipoprotein profile as well as insulin resistance, which could eventually determine the risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes. Other external factors such as abdominal obesity, race and sex are thought to play an important role as well. In this study the aim is to see the variation of three polymorphisms of the promoter region of the hepatic lipase gene, the -514 CIT substitution, the -710 TIC substitution and the -763 AlG substitution and one polymorphism of the Angiotensin converting enzyme gene which is an insertion/deletion in one of the introns of this gene. This study tried to determine their effects when combined with abdominal obesity in Lebanese males. It found that the -514 CIT substitution had no effect on the lipid and lipoprotein profile of individuals and on insulin resistance. The C allele of -71 OTic polymorphism was positively correlated with high cholesterol levels, high LDL-C levels as a higher resistance to insulin. The carriers of he G allele tend to have higher triglyceride levels than no carriers Finally, the carriers of the D allele in the IID ACE polymorphism had greater insulin resistance than no carriers. In conclusion, many genes can intervene in the pathogeny of coronary heart disease and diabetes and it is necessary to do more investigations to understand the interrelation between the genetic and environmental factors in the Lebanese population.