THE LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE HINDIII POLYMORPHISM AND THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HYPERTENSION

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme plays a central role in lipid metabolism. The primary function of LPL enzyme is the hydrolysis of the core triglycerides of circulating chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). It releases monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which are taken up by skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. The present work aimed to study the association of the common variant of LPL HindIII (H+) and hypertension. Hindlll (+) variant allele of LPL were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in 150 hypertensive patients and 150 normotensive as a control group. Serum lipoproteins were also observed in both groups. Allele frequencies were H+ = 0.733 and H- = 0.267 for LPL Hindlll in the hypertension group compared to H+ = 0.683 and H- = 0.317 in the control group. Individuals with homozygous (H+/+) genotype were at higher risk of developing hypertension compared to the (H-/-) genotype (Odds Ratio OR= 2.13, 95% Confidence Interval CI= 0.937-4.8). Serum TG level were also higher in the individuals with (H+/+) genotype compared to the (H-/-) genotype, while HDL showed negative correlation with the presence of (H+/+) genotype. It can be concluded that the LPL Hindlll (H+) variant of LPL may influence the blood lipid metabolism and increase risk for hypertension.