Influence of the genetic variation at apolipoprotein A-I gen promoter region on the plasma lipid levels in heart transplantation patients

BACKGROUND: TO study if the presence of the G/A polymorphism at the apo A-I gene promoter region could determine the lipid profile in patients with hyperlipidemia after heart transplantation, or if it is related with the type of heart disease that determined the transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 31 patients with hyperlipidemia after heart transplantation. Anthropometric parameters, basic analytic and lipid study were measured in these subjects. Identification of the G/A mutation in the promoter region of the apo A-I gene was performed. RESULTS: 22 patients had the G/G genotype and 9 the G/A. 14 were transplanted by coronary heart disease and 17 by non ischemic heart disease. Patients with the A allele had higher cHDL (63 [SD 15] vs 53 [10]; p = 0.034) and apo A-I plasma levels (156 [34] vs 132 [24]; p = 0.040) than G/G subjects. The A allele was present in the 18% of the patients transplanted by isquemic heart disease and in the 43% of the transplanted by another ethiology (p=0.073). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the G/A genotype in the promoter region of the apo A-I gene determines higher plasma levels of cHDL in patients with hyperlipidemia after heart transplantation.