RESUMO
We studied the relationship between apo E polymorphism and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in 127 type 2 diabetic patients who did not take lipid lowering drugs. Furthermore, we studied the relationship between apo E and CETP in modulating plasma triglyceride and HDL cholesterol. Apo E genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and CETP activity was measured using an exogenous way. Our results showed that the CETP activity increased significantly in E2 carrier group compared to E4 carriers and E3E3 homozygous (84.7 +/- 43.9 vs 62.5 +/- 35.9 vs 52.6 +/- 23.6 nmol CE/ml 2h respectively; p = 0.015). However, there was no association between apoE polymorphism and lipid parameter variations. Even after adjustment for CETP activity the results remained unchanged showing that CETP did not step in the relationship between apo E and lipid parameter variations. In conclusion there is an association between apo E polymorphism and CETP activity and this association did not affect the relationship between apo E polymorphism and triglyceride and HDL cholesterol concentrations.