The −1131 T > C and S19W APOA5 gene polymorphisms are associated with high levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein C-III, but not with coronary artery disease: an angiographic study

High plasma concentrations of triglycerides (TG) and apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Two variants of the recently discovered APOA5, 1131 C > T and S19W, have been associated with hypertriglyceridemia, whereas their relation with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. Nine hundred and thirteen angiografically defined patients (669 CAD and 244 CAD-free) were genotyped for APOA5 −1131 C > T and S19W polymorphisms. Carriership of the APOA5 −1131 C allele was identified, by multiple linear regression models, as a significant independent predictor for both TG (standardized β-coefficient = 0.112; p = 0.010) and ApoC-III variability (standardized β-coefficient = 0.113; p = 0.013). Similarly, APOA5 19W allele carriership was a significant independent predictor for both TG (standardized β-coefficient = 0.113; p = 0.007) and ApoC-III variability (standardized β-coefficient = 0.088; p = 0.045). Despite the association with at-risk lipid profile, no significant difference was detected in the distribution of both APOA5 gene polymorphisms between subjects with or without CAD. Moreover, homozygous carriers of the APOC3 −455 C, another TG- and ApoC-III raising variant, showed a significant increased risk for CAD (OR 1.90 with 95% CI 1.002–3.62; p = 0.049; by multiple logistic regression). Different genotypes, i.e., APOA5 and APOC3 variants, may lead to similar biochemical phenotypes, namely hypertriglyceridemia, but to contrasting clinical phenotypes such as the presence of angiographically proven CAD.