Genetics
CETP I405V and Taq1B polymorphisms show inconsistent links to subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in Brazilians (Lipids Health Dis 2012)
Original title: The I405V and Taq1B polymorphisms of the CETP gene differentially affect sub-clinical carotid atherosclerosis
Researchers tested whether the CETP I405V and Taq1B polymorphisms modify subclinical atherosclerosis in 207 asymptomatic Brazilian adults, measuring lipid profiles, oxidized LDL antibody titers, inflammatory markers, CETP and PLTP activity, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Carotid IMT did not differ by presence of the minor B2 or V alleles, but both polymorphisms showed inverse correlations between mean cIMT and CETP activity, and positive correlations with PLTP activity and oxidized LDL antibody titers. Logistic multivariate analysis found the B2 allele was associated with a 5.1-fold increased risk of cIMT at or above the 66th percentile (95% CI, 1.26-21.06), interacting positively with age, while no association was found for the V allele or for CETP and PLTP activities themselves. The authors conclude that none of the measured parameters, including CETP activity, fully explained the relationship between these polymorphisms and carotid atherosclerosis, suggesting other undetermined factors are involved.
Original abstract
Background: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a major role in lipid metabolism, but studies on the association of CETP polymorphisms with risks of cardiovascular disease are inconsistent. This study investigated whether the CETP gene I405V and Taq1B polymorphisms modified subclinical atherosclerosis in an asymptomatic Brazilian population sample.
Methods: The polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction in 207 adult volunteers. Serum lipid profiles, oxLDL Ab titers, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations and CETP and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activities were determined, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured using ultrasonography.
Results: No differences in cIMT were observed between the presence or absence of the minor B2 and V alleles in either polymorphism. However, inverse correlations between mean cIMT and CETP activity in the presence of these polymorphisms were observed, and positive correlations of these polymorphisms with PLTP activity and oxLDL Ab titers were identified. Moreover, logistic multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of the B2 allele was associated with a 5.1-fold (CI 95%, OR: 1.26 - 21.06) increased risk for cIMT, which was equal and above the 66th percentile and positively interacted with age. However, no associations with the V allele or CETP and PLTP activities were observed.
Conclusions: None of the studied parameters, including CETP activity, explained the different relationships between these polymorphisms and cIMT, suggesting that other non-determined factors were affected by the genotypes and related to carotid atherosclerotic disease.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.