Associations of apolipoprotein B with pulse pressure and glucose in Chinese families with familial combined hyperlipidemia

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), with a marked elevation of apolipoprotein B (apoB), is estimated to cause 10–20% of premature coronary artery disease. However, little data are available to demonstrate the associations of apoB with pulse pressure and glucose levels in FCHL families in China. This study was to investigate the potential influence factors for blood pressure and glucose phenotypes in FCHL families by multiple linear regression analysis. We recruited 147 FCHL relatives and 90 spouses, aged 30 to 60 years, from 42 Chinese families with FCHL. Our results showed that triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with fasting glucose levels (all P < 0.05). Body mass index and glucose significantly correlated to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, respectively (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, apoB was significantly related to pulse pressure and glucose in FCHL families (all P < 0.05). Thus, this study demonstrates that apoB is significantly associated with pulse pressure and glucose levels in FCHL families. Accordingly, our data suggest that apoB may be a candidate risk marker for pulse pressure and glucose in FCHL populations.