The cholesteryl ester transfer protein I405V polymorphism is associated with increased high-density lipoprotein levels and decreased risk of myocardial infarction: the Rotterdam Study

Background and designThe effect of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) I405V polymorphism on lipid levels, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI) was examined in 6421 participants from the Rotterdam Study. Methods Quantitative outcomes were studied with linear models; Cox models were used to assess MI risk.ResultsHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) increased by 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03, 0.09] mmol/l in VV carriers. The V allele was further associated with decreased MI risk in men [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.57 (0.45, 0.73), VV versus II] (Ptrend = 0.02).ConclusionThis study provides additional evidence for the association of CETP with HDL levels and suggests that CETP is an atherogenic protein increasing the risk of MI.