Apolipoprotein B (XbaI) allele frequencies in an Egyptian Population: impact on blood lipids

c Holding Company for Biological products and Vaccines (VACSERA-Egypt). Background: Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the major protein component of chylomicrons, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) and is the ligand for the LDL receptor. ApoB plays an important role in the maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism. Numerous restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the ApoB gene have been reported to be associated with variation in lipid levels, obesity and/or coronary artery disease. Purpose: This study assesses the effect of Apo B restriction fragment length polymorphism (XbaI) on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in an Egyptian population. Methods: Blood samples from 355 unrelated individuals aged 19 – 70 years were analysed and genotyping was performed using the XbaI restriction enzyme after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Results: Allele-+ frequencies obtained for X and X were 69 and 31 %, respectively. Presence of the X+ allele was-associated with increased levels of total cholesterol, ApoB, and LDL. X /X homozygous + + individuals in our sample displayed the lowest mean levels and homozygous X / X the highest, with heterozygous individuals displaying intermediate levels. Conclusion: These findings confirm the impact of ApoB genetic variation on some lipid related factors levels in an Egyptian population.