Association of APOE polymorphisms with lipid-lowering efficacy of statins in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a promising candidate for the diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinaemia and atherosclerosis. Polymorphisms in APOE have been reported to result in differential efficacies of statin drugs in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Methods We classified the APOE genotypes of 225 patients treated with atorvastatin, and analysed the relation between genotypes and serum lipid levels. Results The baseline serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly lower in carriers of APOE e3 than of APOE e4 genotypes. The serum levels of TC and LDL-C decreased significantly after 1 month of atorvastatin treatment. Atorvastatin has a higher significant effect in reducing serum TC and LDL-C levels in patients with the APOE e4 genotype. Conclusion Polymorphism in the APOE gene is related to the efficacy of atorvastatin in reducing the serum levels of TC and LDL-C.