A Common Mutation in the Lipoprotein Lipase Gene (N291S) Alters the Lipoprotein Phenotype and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract
Background —Recently, a mutation in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene (N291S) has been reported in 2% to 5% of individuals in western populations and is associated with increased triglyceride (TG) and reduced HDL cholesterol (HDLC) concentrations. Methods and Results —Here we report a significant alteration in biochemical and clinical phenotype in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who are heterozygous for this N291S LPL mutation. Sixty-four FH heterozygotes carrying the N291S mutation had significantly a higher TG level ( P =.004), a higher ratio of total cholesterol to HDLC ( P <.001), and lower HDLC concentrations ( P =.002) compared with 175 FH heterozygotes without this LPL mutation. Moreover, the N291S mutation conferred a significantly greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease in FH heterozygotes compared with FH heterozygotes without this LPL mutation (odds ratio, 3.875; P =.006). Conclusions —These data provide evidence that a common LPL variant (N291S) significantly influences the biochemical phenotype and risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with FH.

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