Effect of apolipoprotein C3 genetic polymorphisms on serum lipid levels and the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Serum lipid levels are associated with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Genetic variants in the apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) gene were associated with plasma triglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two genetic variants (1100 C/T and 3238 C/G) of APOC3 on serum lipid levels and risk of ICH. METHODS: A prospective hospital-based case–control design and logistic regression analysis were utilized. We enrolled 150 ICH patients and 150 age- and gender-matched controls. The APOC3 gene polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: ICH patients had a significantly higher frequency of APOC3 3238 GG genotype [odds ratio (OR) =2.97, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.20, 7.38; P = 0.02] and APOC3 3238 G allele (OR =1.53, 95 % CI = 1.03, 2.27; P = 0.04) than controls. The APOC3 3238 G allele was significantly associated with increasing plasma TG levels and VLDL levels both in ICH cases (P = 0.01) and controls (P = 0.02). No association was found between APOC3 1100 C/T polymorphisms and ICH. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature that the APOC3 3238 GG genotype and G allele might contribute to an increased risk of ICH as a result of its effect on serum lipid levels.