Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism with Lipid Profile and Ischemic Stroke Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

BACKGROUND: Altered lipid profiles have consistently been linked to cerebrovascular events. Ischemic stroke (IS) was a common comorbid condition established in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene which has a notably critical function in lipoprotein metabolism is believed as one of the potential candidate genes susceptible to IS complications in T2DM. This research aimed to determine the association of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with lipid profile and IS risk in T2DM patients. METHODS: This case-control study involved a total of 60 diabetic participants divided into two groups with and without IS. ApoE was genotyped using PCR and sequencing analysis. RESULTS: The most predominant genotype observed in 27 participants (45%) was E3/E3. Lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found in ε2 carriers (p=0.003; 95% CI −23.35–−4.89) and ε4 carriers (p=0.019; 95% CI 1.38–14.55) compared to ε3 homozygotes. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels had no association with ApoE gene polymorphism in this study. ApoE gene polymorphism was not related to IS in T2DM (p=0.06; adjusted OR: 4.71; 95% CI 0.93–23.79). CONCLUSIONS: ApoE ε2 and ε4 carriers were associated with lower levels of HDL-C. No association was identified between ApoE gene polymorphism and IS in T2DM patients.