Effects of APOC3 Polymorphisms on the Plasma Lipids in Healthy Adolescents with Different Body Mass Index

Objective To investigate the possible effects of apolipoprotein CⅢ gene (APOC3) polymorphisms on plasma lipids in healthy adolescents with different body mass index (BMI). Methods Seven hundred and twenty three adolescents were divided into four groups according to BMI: group 1 〔BMI=（17.80±0.75） kg/m²，n=180〕, group 2 〔BMI=(19.39±0.32) kg/m²，n=182〕, group 3 〔BMI=(20.68±0.43) kg/m²，n=181〕 and group 4 〔BMI=(23.40±2.05) kg/m²，n=180〕. Fasting venous blood samples were collected, plasma lipids were determined and genome DNA was extracted for determining the genotypes of the APOC3 SstⅠ and -482C＞T polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP. Results With the elevation of BMI, height and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (P <0.001 for both), body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, plasma triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly (P <0.001 for all). No significant differences in TG levels among SstⅠⅠ genotypes were observed in group 1, group 2 and group 3; but in group 4, significant differences in TG levels among SstⅠ genotypes were observed, S2 carriers had higher TG levels than the adolescents with S1S1 genotype. No significant differences in plasma lipids among -482C＞T genotypes were observed in all groups. Conclusion The elevation of plasma TG levels by the S2 allele of APOC3 SstⅠpolymorphism is associated with BMI. It is possible that the reduction of body mass could favorably modulate the elevation of TG levels by S2 allele in healthy adolescents.