Association study of APOE gene polymorphisms with diabetes and the main cardiometabolic risk factors, in the Algerian population

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a combination of at least three primary metabolic abnormalities among which obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure (HBP); once combined, they increase the cardiovascular risk significantly. APOE gene is considered as a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and it has been linked to MetS or related disorders in several populations. Our study aimed to analyze, for the first time, the association of three APOE gene polymorphisms with MetS risk and its components in a general Algerian population sample, and to highlight the potential influence of these polymorphisms on individual susceptibility to MetS, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, which has never been studied before in the Algerian population. Results The rs439401 showed a significant association with hypertension. The T allele confers a high risk of hypertension with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% CI [1.12–1.9], p = 0.006). The rs4420638 polymorphism was significantly associated with obesity in the general population. The G allele provides protection against obesity; the resulting OR is 0.48 (95% CI [0.29–0.81], p = 0.004). Conclusions Although APOE variants were not associated with the risk of MetS, the APOE polymorphism alleles were associated with some of the metabolic parameters in Algerian subjects. The relation of APOE rs439401 alleles with high blood pressure seems indicative of a state of stress of the population.