Genetics
Japan CETP Study Group finds CETP activity is the strongest determinant of both HDL-C and LDL-C in 591 subjects (Metabolism 2003)
Original title: Association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity and TaqIB polymorphism with lipoprotein variations in Japanese subjects
In a multicenter trial of 591 Japanese subjects, researchers assessed how CETP activity relates to plasma lipoprotein levels. Women had 15% higher CETP activity and 24% higher CETP mass than men, and in both sexes CETP activity correlated negatively with HDL cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol but positively with LDL cholesterol. The TaqIB B2 allele frequency was 40% with no sex difference, and TaqIB genotype was significantly associated with both CETP activity and HDL-C (both P<.001): B1B1 carriers had the highest CETP activity and lowest HDL-C, while B2B2 carriers had the lowest CETP activity and highest HDL-C, with no significant genotype differences in triglycerides or LDL-C. Multivariate analysis identified CETP activity as an independent determinant of both HDL-C and LDL-C, alongside age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and triglycerides for HDL-C. The authors conclude CETP activity is a key determinant of HDL-C and LDL-C in the Japanese population, shaped in part by the TaqIB polymorphism.
Original abstract
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the transfer of cholesteryl ester from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins, whereby it potentially regulates steady-state concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), as well as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). We performed a multicenter trial to assess the association of CETP activity with plasma lipoprotein levels in 591 Japanese subjects. Women had significantly higher CETP activity (15%) and mass (24%) compared to men. For both genders CETP activity was negatively correlated with HDL-C and HDL(2)-C, but positively correlated with LDL-C. B2 allele frequency in TaqIB polymorphism was 40%, with no gender difference. TaqIB genotypes were significantly associated with CETP activity and HDL-C level (both P <.001). B1B1 had the highest CETP activity and the lowest HDL-C concentrations, whereas B2B2 had the lowest CETP activity and the highest HDL-C concentrations. However, no statistically significant differences in triglycerides (TG) or LDL-C were observed across TaqIB genotypes. Multivariate analysis revealed that determinants of HDL-C were age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, CETP activity, and TG, and for LDL-C were BMI, age, and CETP. These data demonstrate that CETP activity is a significant determinant of HDL-C and LDL-C levels and that TaqIB CETP gene polymorphism affects CETP activity and HDL-C level in Japanese population examined.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.