Apolipoprotein E and A-IV diagnostic and functional aspects

We have analysed two different aspects of the lipoprotein metabolism. First in a clinical biochemistry study we have applied a fast and simple method for apoE genotyping. This technique could be of great interest to the clinical laboratories and we have tested in an analysis of the correlation between apoE isoforms and the carotid intima media thickness, estimated by ultrasound ecography, in asymptomatic individuals. The results have shown that the Apo E4 genotype associates with carotid atherosclerosis even before any clinical symptoms can be detected. In the second part of this work we have analysed the lipoprotein metabolism in transgenic mice expressing human Apolipoprotein A-IV. Our results show that apoA-IV has a pleiotropic role in the organism, has a protective role against atherosclerosis and participates in the modulation of gastric secretion.