In this study we investigated the association between the polymorphism of apolipoprotein E and the development of myocardial infarction, and assessed whether this polymorphism produces any changes of plasma lipid level.

A total of 182 patients participated in this study and were divided into two groups; 91 patients with myocardial infarction (MI group) and 91 patients with no known heart disease (control group). For both groups we analyzed the clinical parameters, the changes of plasma lipid level and the degree of polymorphism of apolipoprotein E.

Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the MI group, while the HDL cholesterol level was significantly lower. Compared with the control group, the frequency of epsilon2 allele was significantly lower while that of epsilon3 allele was significantly higher in the MI group. As for the control group, the triglyceride level was significantly higher in the patients with epsilon 2 allele than in those without epsilon 2 allele, and the total cholesterol level was significantly higher in the patients with epsilon 4 allele than in those without epsilon 4 allele. In the MI group, the plasma lipid levels were not significantly different from those in the control group.

We suggested that apolipoprotein E polymorphism could affect the lipid metabolism as well as the development of myocardial infarction. However further study is needed in patients with myocardial infarction.