Association of PPP1R3B polymorphisms with blood lipid and C-reactive protein levels in a Chinese population

Background: Genetic variants of PPP1R3B, a gene encoding a critical protein involved in hepatic glycogen metabolism, were recently reported to be associated with plasma levels of lipids and C-reactive protein (CRP) among populations of mostly European descent. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the PPP1R3B variants are associated with plasma levels of lipids and inflammation factors in Chinese Han. Methods: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PPP1R3B gene were genotyped and their associations with plasma lipids and CRP were determined in 1636 Chinese Han from Shanghai. Results: Three SNPs, namely rs2126259, rs9987289, and rs19334, were significantly associated with plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and rs2126259 and rs9987289 were further significantly associated with total cholesterol. The remaining two SNPs (rs189798 and rs330919) were significantly associated with plasma CRP levels, but not with plasma lipid levels. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms of the PPP1R3B gene may contribute to variations in plasma lipids and CRP levels among Chinese Han individuals.