The correlation between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and the lipid-lowering effects of two statins

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism and the lipid-lowering effects of the statins rosuvastatin and atorvastatin to provide a laboratory basis for rational clinical drug use. METHODS: A total of 146 patients using rosuvastatin calcium tablets (68 females and 78 males, with a mean age of 61.63 +/- 7.32 years) and 114 patients using atorvastatin calcium tablets (51 females and 63 males, with a mean age of 64.15 +/- 7.93 years) were selected for this study. A real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect ApoE genotypes in patients. In addition, the direct clearance method detected total serum cholesterol (TC) by enzyme colorimetry and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). RESULTS: After treatment with Rosuvastatin as lipid-lowering therapy, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in serum TC and LDL-C levels between patients with E2/E3 and E3/E3 genotypes, but levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in those patients than in those with the E3/E4 genotype. For the patients treated with atorvastatin as lipid-lowering therapy, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in serum TC and LDL-C levels among the three genotypes, with levels lowest in patients with the E2/E3 genotype. For patients with the E2/E3 genotype, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in serum TC and LDL-C levels between the rosuvastatin and atorvastatin groups. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in serum TC and LDL-C levels between the rosuvastatin and atorvastatin groups for patients with E3/E3 and E3/E4 genotypes. CONCLUSION: The ApoE gene may be polymorphic, and this gene polymorphism is correlated with the lipid-lowering effects of statins. Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin have better lipid-lowering effects in E2/ E3 patients and E3/E3 patients than in E3/E4 patients.