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Lower Prevalence of Epsilon 4 Allele of Apolipoprotein E Gene in Healthy, Longer-Lived Individuals of Hellenic Origin

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospita, and² Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

Address correspondence to George N. Koukoulis, MD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine/Endocrinology, University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Mezurlo Hill, 41110, Larissa, Greece. E-mail: gnkouk{at}med.uth.gr

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and especially its 4 isoform, is considered a risk factor predisposing to coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that the absence of 4 allele offers a better chance for longer life. So we compared the prevalence of ApoE genotypes in 80 healthy aged individuals (HAI) (>80 years) and 391 Greek adults (median age 43 years) with ApoE genotype distribution consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (² = 5.93, p >.05). ApoE genotypes were comparable in both groups with the exception of E3/3 and E3/4, which were significantly higher (87.50% vs 75.99%, p =.025) and lower (5.00% vs 13.19%, p =.036), respectively, in HAI. The 2 and 3 allele frequencies were not different between the groups. The 4 allele was significantly less frequent in HAI compared to controls (3.1% vs 8.58%, p =.020). Our results indicate an unfavorable effect of 4 allele on longevity that may be attenuated by environmental and/or other genetic factors.