Genetics
CETP TaqIB and I405V polymorphisms show sex-specific effects on postprandial triglycerides in familial hypercholesterolaemia (Lipids Health Dis 2009)
Original title: Sex-associated effect of CETP and LPL polymorphisms on postprandial lipids in familial hypercholesterolaemia
Researchers tested whether CETP (TaqIB, I405V) and lipoprotein lipase (S447X) polymorphisms have sex-specific effects on the response to an oral fat tolerance test in 80 men and postmenopausal women heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia, plus 11 healthy controls. Among patients with a pathological triglyceride response (postprandial triglycerides above 220 mg/dL), men had a significantly larger incremental area under the curve than postmenopausal women, and multivariate analysis found gender-specific effects of TaqIB and I405V on postprandial lipaemia in this subgroup. Men carrying the TaqIB B2 allele showed a higher postprandial triglyceride peak and a delayed return to baseline compared with women carrying B2. The authors conclude sex and CETP TaqIB genotype jointly shape postprandial triglyceride handling in patients with a pathological fat-tolerance response, pending confirmation in larger populations.
Original abstract
Background: This study assessed the gender-specific influence of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (TaqIB, I405V) and lipoprotein lipase (S447X) polymorphisms on the response to an oral fat tolerance test in heterozygotes for familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Methods: We selected and genotyped 80 men and postmenopausal women heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia (main group) as well as 11 healthy control subjects. Patients were subgrouped based on their response to oral fat tolerance test. The oral fat tolerance test was defined as pathological when postprandial triglyceride concentration was higher than the highest triglyceride concentration observed in healthy subjects (220 mg/dl) at any time (2, 4, 6 or 8 h).
Results: In the pathological subgroup, men had significantly higher incremental area under the curve after oral fat tolerance test than postmenopausal women. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed a gender association of TaqIB and I405V influence on postprandial lipaemia in this subgroup.
Conclusion: In conclusion, it seems that gender and TaqIB polymorphism of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene were both associated with the distribution of triglyceride values after oral fat tolerance test, only in subjects with a pathological response to oral fat tolerance test. Specifically, men carrying the B2 allele of the TaqIB polymorphism showed a higher postprandial triglyceride peak and a delayed return to basal values compared with women carrying B2. However, further investigations in larger populations are required to replicate and confirm these findings.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.